Separating apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus comprising a regenerative filter having at least one filter, the at least one filter comprising a plurality of layers of filter material, the filter having a first filtering configuration where the plurality of layers are held together such that air to be cleaned can pass through the plurality of layers of filter media during use of the surface treating apparatus, and a second regeneration configuration wherein at least a portion of one of the plurality of layers of filter material is spaced from the remainder of the layers of filter material for regeneration, and a filter regenerator for regenerating the filter material.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application under 35 USC 371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/GB2016/051924, filed Jun. 28, 2016,which claims the priority of United Kingdom Application No. 1511538.9,filed Jul. 1, 2015, the entire contents of each of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a separating apparatus for separatingparticles from a fluid flow. Particularly, the separating apparatus maybe a vacuum cleaner or form part of a vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known separating apparatus include those used in vacuum cleaners, forexample cyclonic separating apparatus. Such cyclonic separatingapparatus are known to comprise a low efficiency cyclone for separatingrelatively large particles and a high efficiency cyclone locateddownstream of the low efficiency cyclone for separating any fineparticles which remain entrained within the airflow (see, for example,EP 0 042 723B).

Irrespective of the type of separating apparatus used, there may be arisk of a small amount of dirt and dust passing through the separatingapparatus and being carried to the motor-driven fan unit. It isundesirable for dirt and dust particles to pass through the fan of amotor and fan unit because the fan may become damaged or may operateless efficiently.

In order to reduce this problem, some vacuum cleaners include a finefilter in an air flow path between the separating apparatus and theairflow generator. This filter is commonly known as a pre-motor filterand is used to extract any fine dirt and dust particles remaining in theair flow after it has passed through the separating apparatus.

It is also known to provide a filter in an air flow path downstream ofthe air flow generator in order to extract any remaining dirt and dustparticles prior to the air flow exiting the appliance. This type offilter is known as a post-motor filter. The post-motor filter may alsocapture particles produced by any brushes of the motor.

Filter assemblies are used on the Dyson range of vacuum cleaners, forexample, on model numbers DC04, DC07, DC12, DC14 and DC15. The principleby which filter assemblies of this type operate is described in GB2349105 and EP 1239760B.

In vacuum cleaner applications it is desirable for the dust separatingefficiency to be as high as possible whilst maintaining suitable filterlifetime. Filters often function by trapping dust particles within thebody of the filter medium. Large dust particles can be trapped withinthe filter medium because they are too large to travel through the gapsin the filter medium. Smaller dust particles can be trapped by becomingattached to the filter medium as a result of electrostatic forces. Inuse such filters typically become clogged with trapped dust over timeand their resistance to the flow of air increases. This resistance tothe flow of air affects the performance of the vacuum cleaner.

One solution to this problem has been to replace the filters. There aresome filters which are washable however due to the construction of thesefilters some dust will always remain in the filter, adversely affectingthe performance of the machine and sometimes undesirably shortening thelifetime of the cleaner. There is therefore a need for an improvedfilter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly a first aspect of the present invention provides aseparating apparatus comprising, a first cyclonic separating unit, aregenerative filter comprising at least one filter having a plurality oflayers of filter material, the filter having a filtering configurationwhere the plurality of layers of filter material are held together and aregeneration configuration where at least a portion of one of the layersof filter material is spaced from the remainder of the layers of filtermaterial for regeneration, and a filter regenerator for regenerating thefilter material.

Having a regenerative filter is a huge advantage over the prior art.Regenerating the filter means that it helps to ensure that the filterdoes not become blocked and therefore helps to ensure that airflowthrough the separating apparatus is not unduly restricted which wouldincrease the lifetime of the separating apparatus and maintainperformance. It also means that expensive replacement filters are notrequired. As used herein the term “regenerative filter” shall be takento mean a filter in which a portion of the loaded dust can be removedfrom the filter. The term “regenerative filter” does not cover a filterwhich is removed from the remainder of the separating apparatus forcleaning. The term “regenerative filter” covers a filter which iscleaned during normal use of the separating apparatus or during acleaning cycle. Preferably the regenerative filter can remove enoughdust during regeneration to ensure that the original performanceparameters of the separating apparatus are maintained, or substantiallymaintained. Ideally the pressure rise between before first use and afterregeneration will be no more than 30%, but preferably no more than 25,or 20, or 15, or 10, or 5 or 1%.

The regenerative filter is preferably arranged downstream of the firstcyclonic separating unit. It may however be arranged upstream of thefirst cyclonic separating unit.

In a preferred embodiment the regenerative filter comprises a pluralityof filters. Having a plurality of filters is advantageous because itallows for continuous filtering and regeneration during use of theseparating apparatus. In a preferred embodiment at least one filter isin the filtering configuration and at least one filter is in theregeneration configuration. This means that while one filter is beingused as a filter another is being regenerated.

In a particular embodiment a plurality of filters may be arranged to bein the filtering configuration. This advantageously increases theoverall surface area of the filter. It is also possible to have aplurality of filters in the regeneration configuration.

The regenerative filter preferably has a filtration zone and aregeneration zone. The filtration zone and the regeneration zone arepreferably spaced apart. The filter (s) are preferably moveable betweenthe filtration zone and the regeneration zone. The filter(s) is in itsfiltering configuration when housed in the filtration zone and in itsregeneration configuration when housed in the regeneration zone.

In an embodiment the plurality of layers of filter material in thefiltering configuration are preferably held together so that they arefixed relative to each other. They are preferably held in a filter bookframe which allows air to pass through the filter material butcompresses the layers of filter material together. In the regenerationconfiguration the layers of filter material may be held together at atleast one point, such that at least a portion of one of the plurality oflayers of filter material can be spaced from the remainder of the layersof filter material for regeneration.

Ideally in both the filtration and regeneration configurations thelayers of filter material are held together along one edge to form abook type filter where the plurality of layers of filter material arefixed together along one edge. Each book type filter may be constructedfrom a plurality of square or rectangular layers of filter materialwhich are bound along one edge into a book spine. The layers may bebound to form the spine by stitching, gluing or any other suitabletechnique. This means that when the filter is in the regenerationconfiguration the non bound edges are free to move. In this way thelayers of the filter can move like the leaves of a book.

In use the filter regenerator can move at least a portion of one of thelayers of a filter housed in the regeneration zone, such that any dirtdeposited on the filter material is knocked or shaken from the filtermaterial. There are several ways in which this could be done. The filterregenerator could be a separate component which in use is arranged torepeatedly make contact with at least a portion of one or more layers offilter material of a filter housed in the regeneration zone, such thatany dirt deposited on the filter material is knocked or shaken from thefilter material. The regenerator could for example be in the form of abeater bar which is arranged to hit the layers of the filter materialhoused in the regeneration zone.

In another embodiment a filter may be connected to the filterregenerator when the at least one filter is in its regenerationconfiguration, in use the filter regenerator may move the filter suchthat any dirt deposited on the filter material is knocked or shaken fromthe filter material.

The separating apparatus may further comprise a turbine for driving thefilter regenerator, the turbine being driven by fluid flow passingthrough the separating apparatus during its use.

In the embodiments described above, the filter material may be anysuitable material for example metals, glass, fleece, polyester,polypropylene, polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon or any othersuitable plastics material. In an alternative embodiment the filtermedium may be formed from an organic material for example cotton,cellulose or paper. The filter material may have electrostaticproperties.

The filter medium may have a pore size of from 3, or 10, or 50, or 100,or 500, or 1000 pores per inch (PPI) with a pore diameter of from 1micron or 2 micron, or 3 micron, or 10 micron, or 50 micron, or 100micron , or 200 micron or 400 micron.

The pore size or type of filter medium may vary along the length and orwidth of the filter medium. For example the pore size may decrease orincrease in a downstream direction.

The separating apparatus has a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axisof the regenerative filter is in line with the longitudinal axis of theseparating apparatus. The first cyclonic separating unit, and theregenerative filter can be arranged concentrically about a commoncentral axis of the separating apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment the regenerative filter may be arrangedlongitudinally through the separating apparatus. Ideally theregenerative filter may be housed down the centre of the separatingapparatus. The first cyclonic separating unit or a portion of it may bearranged around the regenerative filter such that the regenerativefilter is partially or totally surrounded by the first cyclonicseparating unit. Ideally the external surface of the regenerative filteris not subject to the cyclonic airflow inside the first cyclonicseparating unit. In other words the regenerative filter is not insidethe single cylindrical cyclone, but it is housed within and surroundedby the first cyclonic separating unit.

Ideally the first cyclonic separating unit comprises a singlecylindrical cyclone and a dust collecting bin. The dust collecting binmay be formed from a lower section of the cylindrical cyclone itself orit may be in the form of a separate dust collecting bin removablyattached to the base of the cylindrical cyclone.

The separating apparatus may also further comprise a second cyclonicseparating unit. The second cyclonic separating unit may be arrangeddownstream of the first cyclonic separating unit and upstream of theregenerative filter. The second cyclonic separating apparatus maycomprise one or more cyclones. The cyclones in the second cyclonicseparating unit are preferably frustoconical in shape. Ideally thesecond cyclonic cleaning unit comprises a dust collecting bin. The dustcollecting bin may be arranged below the second cyclone(s). Instead ofhaving a separate regenerative filter dust collector for collecting dustremoved from the filter(s) by the filter regenerator, dust removed fromthe regenerative filter may collect in the dust collecting bin of thesecond cyclonic separating unit.

In a preferred embodiment the first cyclonic separating unit may bearranged around the second cyclonic separating unit or a portion of thesecond cyclonic separating unit, such that the second cyclonicseparating unit or a portion of it is surrounded by the first cyclonicseparating unit. In this embodiment the second cyclonic separating unitor a portion of it may therefore be housed inwardly of or within thefirst cyclonic separating unit. In a preferred embodiment the secondcyclonic separating unit or a portion of it may be locatedlongitudinally through the first cyclonic separating unit. The firstcyclonic separating unit may therefore be annular in shape.

In a particular embodiment the second cyclonic separating unit maycomprise a plurality of secondary cyclones arranged in parallel and adust collecting bin, which may be arranged below the secondary cyclones.In a preferred embodiment the secondary cyclones may be formed in a ringabove or at least partially above the first cyclonic separating unit.Ideally the secondary cyclones are centered about the longitudinal axisof the first cyclonic separating unit.

In a preferred embodiment the dust collecting bin of the second cyclonicseparating unit may be arranged longitudinally through the separatingapparatus such that it is surrounded by and housed inwardly of the firstcyclonic separating unit.

In a particular embodiment the regenerative filter is located inwardlyof the second cyclonic separating unit. Ideally the regenerative filteris located longitudinally through the centre of the second cyclonicseparating unit. In such an embodiment the dust collecting bin of thesecond cyclonic separating unit may also be annular in shape. In such anembodiment the first cyclonic separating unit, the second cyclonicseparating unit and the regenerative filter may be arrangedconcentrically. Preferably they are arranged about a common central axisof the separating apparatus. Preferably the secondary cyclones surrounda top portion of the regenerative filter and the dust collecting bin ofthe second cyclonic separating unit surrounds a lower portion of theregenerative filter.

In a preferred embodiment the regenerative filter is separate from, butin fluid communication with, the second cyclonic separating unit. Theterm “separate from” as used herein shall be taken to mean that theregenerative filter is not subjected to the cyclonic airflow set upinside the cyclonic separating unit during use.

In an alternative embodiment, the at least one filter may comprise ascroll type filter through which air to be filtered can pass when it isin the filtering configuration. In the regeneration configuration it maycomprise a single layer of filter material. In this embodiment the atleast one filter passes through a regeneration zone for regenerationwhen in its regenerating configuration.

Ideally in this embodiment the regenerative filter comprises a pair ofscroll type filters through which air to be filtered can pass, theregenerative filter being arranged such that the filter material ismovable in both directions between the first and second scrolls, passinga single layer of filter material through the filter regenerator as itmoves between them. It is however possible that the air is only filteredthrough one of the scrolls. In this type of embodiment where there isone or more scroll filters, preferably two scroll filters, the filterregenerator comprises a pair of opposed brushes between which the atleast one filter in its regeneration configuration will pass during useof the separating apparatus. In a preferred embodiment there are twoscroll type filters and air to be cleaned passes through both filters.In such an embodiment a duct may be provided between an outlet of thefirst scroll filter and an inlet of the second scroll filter.

In the embodiment described above the regenerative filter may furthercomprise a regenerative filter dust collector for collecting dustremoved from the filter(s) by the filter regenerator.

In an embodiment the separating apparatus is a vacuum cleaner or formspart of a vacuum cleaner, for example a cylinder, upright, stick orrobotic vacuum cleaner. In an embodiment where the separating apparatusis a vacuum cleaner, a first cyclonic separating unit is preferablyarranged to be removably mounted to a main body of the vacuum cleaner.The regenerative filter remains attached to the remainder of theseparating unit when the first cyclonic separating apparatus is removed.

In an embodiment where the separating apparatus forms part of a vacuumcleaner, the whole of the separating apparatus may be removably mountedto a main body of the vacuum cleaner. Alternatively only the firstcyclonic separating unit may be removable and the regenerative filtermay remain attached to the remainder of the vacuum cleaner when thefirst cyclonic separating unit is removed.

Preferably the regenerative filter can be regenerated to the extent thatthe suction power of the vacuum cleaner after regeneration is notcompromised. This regeneration occurs without the need for the operatorto remove it from the vacuum cleaner for cleaning or perform anyadditional tasks than those associated with the normal process of usingthe vacuum cleaner and/or emptying its bin. The regenerative filter maybe removable from the machine but it does not need to be removed forcleaning.

The vacuum cleaner may have a control mechanism for moving the at leastone portion of the regenerative filter between the regeneration zone andthe filtration zone in response to the separating apparatus and/or theregenerative filter being removed from or mounted onto the remainder ofthe vacuum cleaner. Alternatively the vacuum cleaner may have a poweredcontrol mechanism for moving the at least one portion of theregenerative filter between the regeneration zone and the filtrationzone. For example one or more motors may be used to move the at leastone portion of the regenerative filter between the regeneration zone andthe filtration zone.

The regenerative filter may be fixed to the separating apparatus. Theregenerative filter is preferably not removable from the separatingapparatus. The regenerative filter may be fixed to the vacuum cleaner.The regenerative filter is preferably not removable from the vacuumcleaner. One or more filters of the regenerative filter can beregenerated whilst they are housed within the separating apparatus. Oneor more of the filters of the regenerative filter may be regeneratedwhilst the separating apparatus is in use. One or more of the filters ofthe regenerative filter may be regenerated whilst the vacuum cleaner isin use. One or more of the filters of the regenerative filter may beregenerated whilst the vacuum cleaner is in a regeneration mode.

The separating apparatus may also be incorporated into another appliancewhere it is desired to filter air flow which is passing through theappliance. An example of such an appliance might be a fan, fan heater,purifier or humidifier.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a surface cleaningapparatus comprising a regenerative filter having at least one filter,the at least one filter comprising a plurality of layers of filtermaterial, the filter having a first filtering configuration where theplurality of layers are held together such that air to be cleaned canpass through the plurality of layers of filter media during use of thesurface treating apparatus, and a second regeneration configurationwherein at least a portion of one of the plurality of layers of filtermaterial is spaced from the remainder of the layers of filter materialfor regeneration, and a filter regenerator for regenerating the filtermaterial.

Such an arrangement is advantageous because the air to be filtered mustpass through multiple layers of filter material. Spacing at least aportion of one of the plurality of layers of filter material from theremainder of the layers of filter material for regeneration means thatmuch more dirt can be removed from the filter than if the filter iscleaned whilst all the layers are held together.

The regenerative filter may comprise a plurality of filters. At leastone filter can be in the filtering configuration and at least one filtercan be in the regeneration configuration. In a preferred embodiment aplurality of filters can be in the filtering configuration. Ideally aplurality of filters are in the regeneration configuration. This isadvantageous because it means that at least one filter can be used as afilter whilst another filter is being regenerated.

The regenerative filter may comprise a filtration zone and aregeneration zone which are spaced apart. The at least one filter ispreferably moveable between the filtration zone, where the at least onefilter is in its filtering configuration, to the regeneration zone wherethe at least one filter is in its regeneration configuration. This isadvantageous because a dirty filter which has been used for filtrationcan be moved to the regeneration zone for regeneration and a regeneratedfilter can be moved to the filtration zone and used for filtration.

Preferably in the filtering and regeneration configuration the pluralityof layers of filter material are held together along one edge to form abook type filter. In use the filter regenerator can move at least aportion of one of the layers of a filter in the regenerationconfiguration, such that any dirt deposited on the filter material isknocked or shaken from the filter material.

In use the filter regenerator preferably repeatedly makes contact withat least a portion of one or more leaves of filter material of a filterin the regeneration configuration, such that any dirt deposited on thefilter material is knocked or shaken from the filter material.Alternatively at least one filter can be connected to the filterregenerator when the at least one filter is in its regenerationconfiguration. In use the filter regenerator can move the filter suchthat any dirt deposited on the filter material can be shaken from thefilter material.

In an alternative embodiment of the second aspect the at least onefilter may comprise a scroll type filter when it is in the filteringconfiguration, and a single layer of filter material in the regenerationconfiguration. Ideally the at least one filter in its regenerationconfiguration can be arranged to pass through a regeneration zone forregeneration.

In a particular embodiment the surface cleaning appliance may comprise apair of scroll type filters through which air to be filtered can pass.The regenerative filter may be arranged such that the filter materialcan be moved in both directions between the first and second scrolls,passing a single layer of filter material through the filter regeneratoras it moves between them. In this embodiment the filter regenerator maycomprise a pair of opposed brushes between which the at least one filterin its regeneration configuration can pass during use of the separatingapparatus.

The surface cleaning appliance may further comprise a surface contactinghead. It may further comprise a separating apparatus. The separatingapparatus may comprise a further filter.

The separating apparatus is preferably removable from the remainder ofthe surface cleaning appliance. The regenerative filter may be housed inthe separating apparatus.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a regenerative filtercomprising at least one filter having a plurality of layers of filtermaterial, the filter having, a first filtering configuration where theplurality of layers of filter material are held together so that theyare fixed relative to each other, and a second regenerationconfiguration where the layers of filter material are held together atat least one point, such that at least a portion of one of the pluralityof layers of filter material can be spaced from the remainder of thelayers of filter material for regeneration, the filter being movablefrom a filtration zone, where the first filter is in its filteringconfiguration, to a regeneration zone which is spaced from thefiltration zone and where the first filter is in its regenerationconfiguration, and a filter regenerator for regenerating the filtermaterial, the filter regenerator being arranged to move at least aportion of at least one layer of filter material when the filter ishoused in the regeneration zone.

This is advantageous because a dirty filter which has been used forfiltration can be moved to the regeneration zone for regeneration and aregenerated filter can be moved to the filtration zone and used forfiltration.

In the filtering and regeneration configuration the plurality of layersof filter material are preferably held together along one edge to form abook type filter. In use the filter regenerator ideally moves at least aportion of at least one of the layers of filter material of the filterwhen it is housed in the regeneration zone, such that any dirt depositedon the filter material is knocked or shaken from the filter material. Ina particular embodiment the filter regenerator may repeatedly makecontact with at least a portion of one or more layers of filter materialof the filter when it is housed in the regeneration zone, such that anydirt deposited on the filter material is knocked or shaken from thefilter material.

In an alternative embodiment of the third aspect of the presentinvention the filter can be connected to the filter regenerator when thefilter is in its regeneration configuration, and in use the filterregenerator moves at least a portion of the filter such that any dirt onthe filter material is shaken from the filter material.

The regenerative filter may comprise a plurality of filters. Preferablyat least one filter is in the filtering configuration and at least onefilter is in the regeneration configuration. A plurality of filters maybe in the filtering configuration. A plurality of filters may be in theregeneration configuration.

The or each filter can be mounted on a frame, the frame being movablebetween the filtration zone and the regeneration zone.

The regenerative filter may be removably attached to an appliance. Theor each filter may be movable between the filtration zone and theregeneration zone in response to the regenerative filter being attachedto the remainder of the appliance.

Alternatively or additionally the or each filter may be movable betweenthe filtration zone and the regeneration zone in response to theregenerative filter being removed from the remainder of the appliance.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a regenerative filtercomprising, a length of filter material, a first perforated filtersupport, a second perforated filter support, a filter regenerator, andan intermediate duct, a first end of the filter material being woundaround the first perforated filter support to form a first scroll typefilter through which air to be filtered can pass, a second end of thefilter material being wound around the second perforated filter supportto form a second scroll type filter through which air to be filtered canpass, the regenerative filter being arranged such that the filtermaterial is movable in both directions between the first and secondperforated filter supports, by passing a single layer of filter materialthrough the filter regenerator as it moves between them, theintermediate duct being arranged to take airflow which has passedthrough the first scroll type filter to the second scroll type filterfor filtration, during use of the regenerative filter.

This arrangement is advantageous because it means that the air is beingpassed through all of the layers of filter material. The number oflayers of filter material through which the air to be cleaned must pass,never falls below a certain number.

In a preferred embodiment the first scroll type filter is housed in afirst scroll housing. The second scroll type filter is preferably housedin a second scroll housing. In such an embodiment the intermediate ductcan connect the first scroll housing to the second scroll housing. Usingthe scroll housing and the duct helps to ensure that all of the airpasses through the scroll type filters.

The filter regenerator is preferably housed in a regeneration zone. Thefilter regenerator may be located between the first and second scrolltype filters. The filter regenerator may comprise a pair of opposedbrushes between which the single layer of filter material can passduring use of the regenerative filter.

The regenerative filter may comprise an air inlet. In a preferredembodiment the regenerative filter may comprise an air outlet.

The regenerative filter may further comprise a scroll winding device formoving the filter material between the first and second perforatedfilter supports. The scroll winding device may be at least one motor. Ina preferred embodiment each perforated filter support can be mounted ona drive shaft which may be connected to an associated motor.

The length of filter material in the regenerative filter may have a tailsection at each end which has a larger pore size than the remainder ofthe filter material.

In a particular aspect a robotic surface treating appliance has aregenerative filter as described above. The regenerative filter may behoused in the main body of the appliance. The robotic surface treatingappliance may further comprise a separating apparatus, for example acyclonic separating apparatus. The separating apparatus may be removablefrom the remainder of the robotic surface treating appliance. Theregenerative filter is preferably fixed to the robotic surface treatingappliance. Regeneration can occur whilst the regenerative filter isattached to the remainder of the robotic surface treating appliance.Regeneration may occur during normal use of the robotic surface treatingappliance, for example whilst it is being used to clean a surface.Alternatively or additionally the robotic surface treating appliance maybe arranged to have a regeneration cycle which can be run whilst therobotic surface treating appliance is not in normal use. This may forexample be arranged to occur whilst the robotic surface treatingappliance is being recharged.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides an appliancecomprising, a regenerative filter for filtering a fluid flow, having atleast one filter, a filter regenerator for regenerating the regenerativefilter, a turbine for driving the filter regenerator, the turbine beingdriven by the fluid flow passing through the appliance during its use.

This is advantageous as it does not require any additional power sourceto drive the filter regenerator.

The turbine is preferably arranged to be driven by fluid exhausted fromthe regenerative filter during use of the appliance. In a particularembodiment the turbine can be arranged downstream of the regenerativefilter. The turbine can be connected to the filter regenerator via oneor more gears. Ideally the turbine is connected to the filterregenerator via a drive shaft.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one filter of the regenerativefilter may comprise a plurality of layers of filter material, the filterhaving a first filtering configuration where the plurality of layers areheld together and the air to be cleaned passes through the plurality oflayers of filter media and a second regeneration configuration where atleast a portion of one of the plurality of layers of filter material isspaced from the remainder of the layers of filter material forregeneration.

The regenerative filter may comprise a plurality of filters. Theregenerative filter preferably comprises a filtration zone and aregeneration zone which are spaced apart. Ideally the at least onefilter is moveable between the filtration zone and the regenerationzone. In use the filter regenerator may be able to move at least aportion of the regenerative filter, such that any dirt deposited on theregenerative filter is knocked or shaken from the regenerative filter.In a particular embodiment, and whilst the appliance is in use, thefilter regenerator repeatedly makes contact with at least a portion ofthe regenerative filter, such that any dirt deposited on theregenerative filter can be knocked or shaken from the regenerativefilter.

In an alternative embodiment the regenerative filter may be connected tothe filter regenerator and in use the filter regenerator can move theregenerative filter such that any dirt deposited on the regenerativefilter can be shaken from the regenerative filter.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a regenerative filtercomprising, a length of material having a first support tail and afilter portion, a first end of the material being wound around a firstperforated support to form a first scroll type filter through which airto be filtered can pass, and a second end of the material being fixed toa filter support, the regenerative filter being arranged such that thematerial is movable in both directions between the first perforatedsupport and the filter support, passing through a filter regenerator asit moves between them, the first end of the material forms the firstsupport tail which extends from the first perforated support to at leastthe filter regenerator when the material is unwound from the firstperforated support, the first support tail having a more open structurethan the structure of the filter portion.

This is advantageous because the support tail does not pass through thefilter regenerator. If the support tail did not have a more openstructure than the structure of the filter portion then the tail portionwould get blocked with dirt and dust. The more open structure means thatdirt and dust does not get trapped in the tail. The support tail canhave a very open structure as long as it remains strong enough to attachthe remainder of the filter material to the filter support. An openstructure may allow particles of at least 400 microns to pass through.

The first support tail has a larger pore size than the pore size of thefilter portion. As used herein the term “pore” shall be taken to meanany aperture or opening.

In a preferred embodiment the filter support can be a second perforatedsupport. Ideally the second end of the material can be wound around thesecond perforated support to form a second scroll type filter throughwhich air to be filtered can pass. This is advantageous because it meansthat air can be filtered through both of the scroll type filters. Insuch an embodiment a second support tail may be provided. The secondsupport tail may extend from the second perforated support to at leastthe filter regenerator when the material is unwound from the secondperforated support.

The first scroll type filter may be housed in a first scroll housing.The second scroll type filter may be housed in a second scroll housing.The filter regenerator is preferably housed in a regeneration zone.Ideally the filter regenerator can be located between the first scrolltype filter and the filter support.

The filter regenerator preferably comprises a pair of opposed brushesbetween which the filter portion of the material can pass during use ofthe regenerative filter. The regenerative filter preferably furthercomprises an air inlet and/or an air outlet. In a preferred embodimentthe regenerative filter may further comprise a winding device for movingthe length of material between the first perforated filter support andthe filter support. The winding device may be at least one motor. In apreferred embodiment the first perforated filter support and the filtersupport can be mounted on a drive shaft which can be connected to anassociated motor.

The support tail(s) may have a pore size of from 2.5 mm to 15 mm.Preferably the support tail(s) have a pore size of from 5 to 15 mm. Thepores in the support tail(s) are preferably arranged to overlap in eachlayer wound around the first and or second perforated supports, suchthat there is a clear passageway for air to flow through the pores. Thepores in the support tail(s) may be square, circular or rectangular inshape.

In a preferred embodiment the filter portion may have a pore size offrom 1 micron to 400 micron. Preferably the filter portion has from 3 to1000 pores per inch (PPI). In a particular embodiment the pore size ofthe filter portion may increase or decrease along the length of thefilter portion. The pore size of the filter portion and/or the supporttail(s) may increase in a downstream direction.

A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a length of materialhaving a first support tail and a filter portion wherein the firstsupport tail has an open structure and the filter portion has afiltering structure.

As stated above in relation to the sixth aspect, an open structure mayallow particles of at least 400 microns to pass through.

In a preferred embodiment a first support tail may be connected to afirst end of the filter portion and a second support tail may beconnected to a second end of the filter portion. In a preferredembodiment the support tail(s) may have a pore size of from 2.5 mm to 15mm. The first support tail may have a larger pore size than the poresize of the filter portion. As used herein the term “pore” shall betaken to mean any aperture or opening.

The support tail(s) preferably have a pore size of from 5 to 15 mm.

In a particular embodiment the support tail(s) may be formed from atleast two strips of material arranged in parallel such that one or morerectangular pores are arranged between the strips of material. Otherarrangements are envisaged, for example where there is a diagonal orcrossed arrangement of strips of material. The pores in the supporttail(s) may for example be square, diamond, circular or rectangular inshape.

The filter portion preferably has a pore size of from 1 micron to 400micron. The filter portion may have from 3 to 1000 pores per inch (PPI).The pore size of the filter portion may increase or decrease along thelength of the filter portion. The pore size of the filter portion and/orthe support tail(s) may increase in a downstream direction.

An eighth aspect of the present invention provides a surface treatingappliance comprising, a regenerative filter having at least one filter,the regenerative filter being removably mounted to the surface treatingappliance, the at least one filter being movable from a filtration zoneto a regeneration zone, the filtration zone being spaced from theregeneration zone, and a control mechanism for moving the at least onefilter between the regeneration zone and the filtration zone in responseto the regenerative filter being removed from or mounted onto thesurface treating appliance.

This is advantageous because it means that the movement of the at leastone filter between the regeneration zone and the filtration zone happensautomatically during normal use of the appliance and a user does notneed to remember to move the filters.

The regenerative filter is preferably housed in a separating apparatuswhich may be removably mounted to the remainder of the surface treatingappliance. Ideally the surface treating appliance comprises a pluralityof filters. At least one filter is preferably in the regeneration zoneand at least one filter is preferably in the filtration zone. Aplurality of filters may be in the filtration zone. A plurality offilters may be in the regeneration zone.

The or each filter can be mounted on a frame, the frame being movablebetween the filtration zone and the regeneration zone. The frame ispreferably connected to the control mechanism. The control mechanism maycomprise a rack and pinion drive. The control mechanism may comprise apawl drive collar. Any other suitable control mechanism may be used.

The control mechanism is preferably arranged to ensure that the at leastone filter can only move in one direction between the filtration zoneand the regeneration zone.

In a particular embodiment a resilient member may project outwardly fromthe regenerative filter when it is removed from the remainder of thesurface treating appliance, the resilient member can be located suchthat it will be compressed when the regenerative filter is mounted ontothe remainder of the surface treating appliance, compression of theresilient member resulting in activation of the control mechanism toresult in movement of at least one filter between the filtration andregeneration zones. In an embodiment where the regenerative filter ishoused in a separating apparatus which is removably mounted to thesurface treating appliance, the resilient member may project outwardlyfrom the separating apparatus when it is removed from the remainder ofthe surface treating appliance.

A ninth aspect of the present invention provides a surface treatingappliance comprising a regenerative filter, and a filter regenerator,the regenerative filter comprising a length of filter material rolledinto a first scroll type filter through which air to be filtered canpass and a second scroll type filter through which air to be filteredcan pass, the regenerative filter being arranged such that the filtermaterial is movable in both directions between the first and secondscroll type filters, the filter material passing through a filterregenerator as it moves between the first and second scroll type filtersduring use, the separating apparatus further comprising at least onedrive means which moves the filter material between the first and secondscrolls continuously during use of the surface treating appliance suchthat the filter material is constantly getting regenerated as it passesthrough the filter regenerator.

This system is advantageous since the filter is constantly beingregenerated whilst the appliance is in use.

In a preferred embodiment the drive means may comprise at least onemotor. Each scroll type filter may be mounted on a drive shaft which canbe connected to an associated motor. The filter regenerator preferablycomprises a pair of opposed brushes between which a single layer of thefilter material can pass.

The regenerative filter can be fixed to the surface treating applianceand regeneration of the regenerative filter occurs continuously duringuse of the surface treating appliance.

The first scroll type filter is preferably mounted on a first perforatedsupport. The second scroll type filter is preferably mounted on a secondperforated support. The first scroll type filter may be housed in afirst scroll type filter housing. The second scroll type filter may behoused in a second scroll type filter housing.

The surface treating appliance may further comprise at least onecyclonic separator. The surface treating appliance may further comprisea further filter, for example a foam filter, impaction filter,electrostatic filter, bag filter, pleated filter or any other suitablefilter. The at least one cyclonic separator and/or the further filtermay be arranged upstream or downstream of the regenerative filter.

In an embodiment with at least one cyclonic separator, the separator maybe removably attached to the remainder of the surface treatingappliance.

Features described above in connection with the first aspect of theinvention are equally applicable to each of the second to ninth aspectsof the invention and vice versa. In all aspects above the regenerativefilter may form part of an appliance, for example a surface treatingappliance. It may for example form part of a robotic surface treatingappliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a canister vacuum cleaner incorporating a first embodiment ofseparating apparatus according the present invention, with the duct inthe lowered position;

FIG. 2 is a section through the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a close up of the separating apparatus shown in FIG. 2,showing the regenerative filter;

FIG. 4 shows a section through the separating apparatus shown in FIG. 3,taken along the line B-B;

FIG. 5 shows a section through the separating apparatus shown in FIG. 3,taken along the line C-C;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the filter book frame of theregenerative filter of the first embodiment of the separating apparatus;

FIG. 7 shows a close up view of the regenerative filter shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 shows a section through the regenerative filter shown in FIG. 7,taken along the line C-C;

FIG. 9 shows a partial perspective view of the regenerative filter fromthe first embodiment of the separating apparatus;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the filter cage of the regenerativefilter of the first embodiment of separating apparatus;

FIG. 11 shows a top elevation view of the filter cage shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1with the duct 10 in the raised position;

FIG. 13 shows a section through the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows an end elevation view of the regenerative filter shown inFIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows an enlarged view of the regenerative filter shown in FIG.13;

FIG. 16 shows a section through the regenerative filter shown in FIG.15, taken along the line B-B;

FIG. 17 shows a section through a second embodiment of separatingapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 shows a section through the separating apparatus shown in FIG.17, taken along the line B-B;

FIG. 19a shows a section through the separating apparatus shown in FIG.17, taken along the line C-C;

FIG. 19b shows a section through the separating apparatus shown in FIG.17, taken along the line D-D;

FIG. 20a shows a section through the separating apparatus shown in FIG.17, taken along the line G-G;

FIG. 20b shows a section through the separating apparatus shown in FIG.17, taken along the line L-L;

FIG. 21a shows a section through the separating apparatus shown in FIG.17, taken along the line E-E;

FIG. 21b shows a section through the separating apparatus shown in FIG.17, taken along the line F-F;

FIG. 22 shows a detailed view of the filter cage of the secondembodiment with the drive mechanism in the closed position;

FIG. 23 shows an alternative view of the filter cage shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 shows a plan view of the filter cage shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 shows a plan view of the filter cage of the second embodimentwith the drive mechanism in the open position;

FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of the filter cage shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 shows a front perspective view of robot vacuum cleaner showing athird embodiment of a separating apparatus according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 28 shows the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 27 with the cyclonicseparator removed and the dust collection drawer open;

FIG. 29 shows a rear perspective view of the vacuum cleaner shown inFIG. 27 with the outer casing removed;

FIG. 30 shows a front perspective view of the vacuum cleaner shown inFIG. 27 with the outer casing removed;

FIG. 31 shows an underside front perspective view of the vacuum cleanershown in FIG. 27 with the outer casing removed;

FIG. 32 shows a side view of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 33 shows a section through the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 32,taken along the line C-C;

FIG. 34 shows a section through the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 32,taken along the line J-J;

FIG. 35 shows a section through the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 32,taken along the line F-F;

FIG. 36 shows view G of a section through the vacuum cleaner shown inFIG. 35, taken along the line H-G;

FIG. 37 shows view H of a section through the vacuum cleaner shown inFIG. 35, taken along the line H-G;

FIG. 38 shows a side view of the regenerative filter shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 39 shows a section through the regenerative filter shown in FIG.38, taken along the line A-A;

FIG. 40 shows a perspective view of the regenerative filter shown inFIG. 38; and

FIG. 41 shows a schematic illustration of a separating apparatus havinga static system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout thespecification.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 16 a vacuum cleaner is shown and indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 1.

In FIGS. 1, 2, 12 and 13 the vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a main body 2and a pair of wheels 4 mounted on the main body 2 for manoeuvring thevacuum cleaner 1 across a surface to be cleaned. The main body 2 andwheels 4 together form a rolling assembly 11. The rolling assembly 11 issubstantially spherical in shape. The wheels 4 are dome shaped. Thevacuum cleaner 1 also comprises a removably mounted separating apparatus6.

Commonly, a floor-engaging cleaner head (not shown) is coupled to thedistal end of a hose (not shown) via a wand (not shown) to facilitatemanipulation of a dirty air inlet (not shown) over the surface to becleaned. The hose communicates with the separating apparatus 6 via aninlet duct 13. A motor and fan unit 8 is housed within the main body 2for drawing dust laden air into the separating apparatus 6 via the hose.

A chassis 3 is connected to the main body 2. The chassis 3 is generallyin the shape of an arrow head pointing forwardly from the main body 2.The chassis 3 comprises side edges 5 which extend rearwardly andoutwardly from the front tip 7 of the chassis 3. The angling of the sideedges 5 can assist in manoeuvring the vacuum cleaner 1 around corners,furniture or other items upstanding from the floor surface, as uponcontact with such an item these side edges 5 tend to slide against theupstanding item to guide the main body 2 around the upstanding item.

A pair of chassis wheels 9 for engaging the floor surface are connectedto the chassis 3. The chassis wheels 9 are located behind the side edges5 of the chassis 3. Each chassis wheel 9 is mounted on a respective axlefitted to the chassis 3, so that the chassis wheel 9 can rotate relativeto the axle, and thus relative to the chassis 3.

The chassis wheels 9 also provide support members for supporting therolling assembly 11 as the vacuum cleaner 1 is manoeuvred over a floorsurface. For increased support to the rolling assembly 11, the distancebetween the points of contact of the chassis wheels 9 with the floorsurface is greater than that between the points of contact of the wheels4, 4 of the rolling assembly 11 with that floor surface.

The separating apparatus 6 may be mounted on the main body 2, inlet duct13, the chassis 3 or any other suitable component. In FIGS. 1, 2, 12 and13 the separating apparatus 6 is mounted on the inlet duct 13. The inletduct 13 comprises an inlet section 15 for receiving the dirt-bearingfluid flow from the hose and wand assembly, and an outlet section 17 forcoupling the inlet section 15 to the separating apparatus 6 to conveythe dirt-bearing fluid flow into the separating apparatus 6. The inletsection 15 is pivotably connected to the chassis 3, whereas the outletsection 17 is connected to the main body 2 of the rolling assembly 11 sothat the inlet section 15 is pivotable relative to the outlet section17. Alternatively, the outlet section 17 may be connected to the chassis3.

In use, dust laden air drawn into the separating apparatus 6 via thehose has the dust particles separated from it in the separatingapparatus 6. The dirt and dust is collected within the separatingapparatus 6 while the cleaned air is channeled past the motor and fanunit 8 for cooling purposes before being ejected from the vacuum cleaner1. The cleaned air travels from the separating apparatus 6 to the motorand fan unit 8 through a duct 10.

The separating apparatus 6 forming part of the vacuum cleaner 1 is shownin more detail in FIGS. 2, 3 and 13. The specific overall shape of theseparating apparatus 6 can be varied according to the type of vacuumcleaner 1 in which the separating apparatus 6 is to be used. Forexample, the overall length of the separating apparatus 6 can beincreased or decreased with respect to the diameter of the separatingapparatus 6.

The separating apparatus 6 comprises a first cyclonic separating unit12, a second cyclonic separating unit 14 and a regenerative filter 16.

The first cyclonic separating unit 12 can be seen to be the annularchamber 18 located between the outer wall 20 which is substantiallycylindrical in shape and a middle wall 22 which is located radiallyinwardly from the outer wall 20 and spaced from it. The lower end of thefirst cyclonic separating unit 12 is closed by a base 24 which ispivotably attached to the outer wall 20 by means of a pivot 26 and heldin a closed position by a catch 28. In the closed position, the base 24is sealed against the lower ends of the walls 20, 22. Releasing thecatch 28 allows the base 24 to pivot away from the outer wall 20 and themiddle wall 22 for emptying the first cyclonic separating unit 12 andcollection bin 36.

In this embodiment the top portion of the annular chamber 18 forms acylindrical cyclone 30 of the first cyclonic separating unit 12 and thelower portion forms a first dust collecting bin 32. The second cyclonicseparating unit 14 comprises 14 secondary cyclones 34 which are arrangedin parallel and a second dust collecting bin 36.

A dust laden air inlet 38 is provided in the outer wall 20 of thecylindrical cyclone 30. The dust laden air inlet 38 is arrangedtangentially to the outer wall 20 so as to ensure that incoming dustladen air is forced to follow a helical path around the annular chamber18. A fluid outlet from the first cyclonic separating unit 12 isprovided in the form of a shroud 40. The shroud 40 comprises acylindrical wall 42 in which a large number of perforations 41 areformed. The only fluid outlet from the first cyclonic separating unit 12is formed by the perforations 41 in the shroud 40.

A passageway 44 is formed downstream of the shroud 40. The passageway 44communicates with the second cyclonic separating unit 14. The passageway44 may be in the form of an annular chamber which leads to inlets 46 ofthe secondary cyclones 34 or may be in the form of a plurality ofdistinct air passageways each of which leads to a separate secondarycyclone 34.

An upper wall 48 extends downwardly from a vortex finder plate 50 whichforms a top surface of each of the secondary cyclones 34. The upper wall48 is tubular and its lower end 49 is sealed to an inner wall 52. Theinner wall 52 is tubular and is located radially inwardly of the middlewall 22 and is spaced from it so as to form a second annular chamber 54between them.

When the base 24 is in the closed position, the inner wall 52 may reachdown to and be sealed against the base 24. Alternatively the wall 52 maystop short of the base 24 and may join with a filter base plate 56.

The secondary cyclones 34 are arranged in a circle substantially ortotally above the first cyclonic separating unit 12. A portion of thesecondary cyclones 34 may be surrounded by a portion of the top of thefirst cyclonic separating unit 12. The secondary cyclones 34 arearranged in a ring which is centred on the axis of the first cyclonicseparating unit 12. Each secondary cyclone 34 has an axis which isinclined downwardly and towards the axis of the first cyclonicseparating unit 12.

Each secondary cyclone 34 is frustoconical in shape and comprises a coneopening 58 which opens into the top of the second annular chamber 54. Inuse dust separated by the secondary cyclones 34 will exit through thecone openings 58 and will be collected in the second annular chamber 54.The second annular chamber 54 thus forms the second dust collecting bin36 of the second cyclonic separating unit 14. A vortex finder 62 isprovided at the upper end of each secondary cyclone 34. The vortexfinders 62 may be an integral part of the vortex finder plate 50 or theymay pass through the vortex finder plate 50. In the embodiment shown thevortex finders 62 fluidly connect with the regenerative filter 16.

In the embodiment shown the vortex finders 62 lead into a plenum 65which leads to the regenerative filter 16.

It can be seen that the regenerative filter 16 is at least partiallysurrounded by the first and second cyclonic separating units 12, 14. Theregenerative filter 16 is therefore arranged longitudinally down thecentre of the separating apparatus 6 such that the secondary cyclones 34and at least a portion of the second dust collecting bin 36 surround theregenerative filter 16. It can be seen that the secondary cyclones 34surround a top portion of the regenerative filter 16 and the second dustcollecting bin 36 surrounds a lower portion of the regenerative filter16. It can also be seen that the regenerative filter 16 extends fromnear the vortex finder plate 50 to near the base 24. The first cyclonicseparating unit 12 surrounds a lower portion of the secondary cyclones34 and the second dust collecting bin 36. Thus the first cyclonicseparating unit 12 also surrounds the regenerative filter 16. The firstcyclonic separating unit 12, the second cyclonic separating unit 14 andthe regenerative filter 16 are therefore arranged concentrically about acommon central axis of the separating apparatus 6.

The regenerative filter 16 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 to 11 and14 to 16. The regenerative filter 16 has an inlet duct housing 68 whichdefines a filter inlet duct 70. It can be seen best in FIGS. 7 and 15that the filter inlet duct 70 is elongate and extends along the lengthof the separating apparatus 6. From FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 16 it can be seenthat it is also horseshoe shaped when viewed in a cross section takenperpendicular to the axis X of the separating apparatus 6. The filterinlet duct 70 is in airflow communication with the plenum 65. The inletduct housing 68 has a solid outer wall 72, a base wall 73, side walls 75and an upper wall 79. The side walls 75 run the length of the solidouter wall 72 and project at right angles from it towards thelongitudinal axis of the regenerative filter 16. The inlet duct housing68 also comprises an apertured inner wall which as shown in FIG. 8 is inthe form of a rib 74 and a pair of flanges 77. The rib 74 is locatedconcentrically inwardly of the solid outer wall 72 opposite its centrepoint and upstands from the inner edge of the base wall 73. The flanges77 depend from the side walls 75 and point towards the rib 74 along anannular path which follows the curve of the solid outer wall 72 to formthe horseshoe shaped filter inlet duct 70. The upper wall 79 joins thetop edges of the rib 74 and the flanges 77 following an annular path.

During use of the vacuum cleaner 1, air can pass from the plenum 65 intothe top of the filter inlet duct 70 anywhere along its upper opening 71.Air then passes out of the inlet duct 70 through the apertured innerwall between the rib 74 and flanges 77.

Located concentrically inwardly of the filter inlet duct 70 is a filtercage 76. The filter cage can be seen best in FIG. 8. An outer filtercage wall 78 which is also horseshoe shaped in cross section is held inplace against the apertured inner wall by the rib 74, the upper wall 79,the base wall 73 and the flanges 77. This outer filter cage wall 78 hasa plurality of rectangular shaped apertures 81. An inner filter cagewall 80 is provided concentrically inwardly of the outer filter cagewall 78. The inner filter cage wall 80 has a plurality of rectangularshaped apertures 81. The apertures 81 on the outer filter cage wall 78may correspond in shape, size and/or position to the apertures 81 on theinner filter cage wall 80. The apertures 81 could of course be of othershapes such as square or diamond shaped.

The filter cage 76 is arranged such that the inner filter cage wall 80is spaced from the outer filter cage wall 78 by a distance which is justwide enough to house a portion of a cylindrical tube shaped filter bookframe 82. The filter cage 76 is arranged to be fixed in place such thatit does not move with respect to the remainder of the separatingapparatus 6. The filter book frame 82 is arranged such that it canrotate within the filter cage 76 when desired. The mechanism by whichthe filter book frame 82 can be moved and the filter cage 76 is fixedwill be discussed in more detail later.

The filter book frame 82 is shown best in FIG. 6. The filter book frame82 is formed from an open cylindrical top portion 84, an opencylindrical bottom portion 86 and three support struts 88 which join thetop portion 84 to the bottom portion 86. The support struts 88 arespaced equally around the circumference of the filter book frame 82.Attached to each of the support struts 88 is a pair of filter books 90spaced axially along the length of the support struts 88. Each filterbook 90 is constructed from a plurality of square or rectangular leavesof filter material 91 which are bound along one edge into a book spine92. The leaves may be bound to form the spine 92 by stitching, gluing orany other suitable technique. These multiple layers can work incombination to capture dust particles much smaller than the nominal meshhole size. The multiple layers may capture the dust particles byimpaction, where dust particles above a certain size have momentum suchthat they cannot follow the airflow to divert around obstructive fibers,or by interception, where the dust particles have a sufficient size sothat even if they follow air streams around obstructive fibers, theystill touch the fiber and are trapped.

The book spines 92 are attached to the support struts 88. The bookspines 92 may be attached to the support struts 88 by overmoulding,stitching, gluing or any other suitable technique In total this meansthat there are six filter books 90 arranged in three sets of two filterbooks 90, with two filter books 90 attached to each support strut 88. Itis of course possible to have only a single filter book 90 attached toeach support strut 88. It is also possible that the regenerative filter16 could have less or more than three support struts 88, each of whichmay have one or more filter books 90.

As shown best in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8 it can be seen that at any one timefour filter books 90 will be housed between the outer and inner cagewalls 78, 80 of the filter cage 76. When the filter books 90 are housedin the filter cage 76 they are held on both their internal and externalfaces by the inner and outer walls 78, 80 of the filter cage 76 whichserves to compress the leaves of filter material 91 of the filter books90 to minimize and preferably remove any gaps between adjacent leaves ofthe filter material 91. These compressed filter books 90 are in theirfiltering configuration and can be used to filter dirty air passing fromthe filter inlet duct 70.

The inner filter cage wall 80 also forms a portion of an outlet duct 94of the separating apparatus 6. The outlet duct 94 is tubular in shapebut has a generally crescent moon shape when viewed in a cross sectiontaken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the separating apparatus6. The partially cylindrical portion of the outlet duct 94 is formedfrom the inner filter cage wall 80 and the remainder of outlet duct 94is formed from an inwardly curving solid wall 96. An outlet duct baseplate 97, which can be seen best in FIG. 7, is positioned at the lowerend of the outlet duct 94 to seal its lower end to ensure that all airthat has passed through the regenerative filter 16 passes out throughthe open upper end 23 of the regenerative filter 16. The outlet ductbase plate 97 also extends outwardly to close the lower end of thefilter cage 76 to ensure that in use all air passes through the filterbooks 90.

The remaining two filter books 90 are housed in a regeneration chamber98. The regeneration chamber 98 is elongate in shape. The filter books90 which are housed in the regeneration chamber 98 are not compressedand therefore there are gaps between one or more of the leaves of filtermaterial 91. A beater bar 100 runs along the length of the regenerationchamber 98. The beater bar 100 is elongate and sinuous. In FIGS. 7 and15 it can be seen that the beater bar 100 has two outwardly projectingbeater portions 102. The beater bar 100 is mounted at its base on abeater bar gear 104. This beater bar gear 104 forms part of a gear traincomprising an intermediary gear 106 and a primary gear 108. The primarygear 108 is mounted on a rotatable shaft 110 which runs through thecentre of the outlet duct 94 and is connected at its upper end to aturbine 112. In use of the vacuum cleaner 1, air which has passedthrough the filter books 90 and into the outlet duct 94 travels upwardlythrough the turbine 112. This causes the rotatable shaft 110 to rotatewhich in turn, via the gear train, causes the beater bar 100 to rotate.As the beater bar 100 rotates the outwardly projecting beater portions102 hit the filter books 90 which are housed in the regeneration chamber98. Any dust which has lodged on the filter books 90 can therefore bedislodged by the beater bar 100. In this way the filter books 90 housedin the regeneration chamber 98 can be cleaned and regenerated when thevacuum cleaner is being used to clean a surface. Any dust dislodged bythe beater bar 100 falls into the dust collecting chamber 36 of thesecond cyclone separating unit 14. The turbine 112 and the rotatableshaft 110 are centered on the longitudinal axis of the separatingapparatus 6.

During use of the embodiment described above, dust laden air enters theseparating apparatus 6 via the dust laden air inlet 38 and, because ofthe tangential arrangement of the inlet 38, the dust laden air follows ahelical path around the outer wall 20 of the first cyclonic separatingunit 12. Larger dirt and dust particles are deposited by cyclonic actionin the annular chamber 18 and collected in the first dust collecting bin32. The partially-cleaned dust laden air exits the annular chamber 18via the perforations 41 in the shroud 40 and enters the passageway 44.The partially-cleaned dust laden air then passes into tangential inlets46 of the secondary cyclones 34. Cyclonic separation is set up insidethe secondary cyclones 34 so that separation of some of the dustparticles which are still entrained within the airflow occurs. The dustparticles which are separated from the airflow in the secondary cyclones34 are deposited in the second annular chamber 54 which forms at leastpart of the second dust collecting bin 36 of the second cyclonicseparating unit 14. The further cleaned dust laden air then exits thesecondary cyclones 34 via the vortex finders 62 into the plenum 65. Thefurther cleaned dust laden air then passes into the regenerative filter16. The further cleaned dust laden air passes out of the plenum 65 anddown the filter inlet duct 70. The air then travels through the filtercage 76 and through the filter books 90 which are housed in the filtercage 76. Dirt and dust is deposited on the leaves of filter material 91as the dust laden air passes through the filter books 90. The furthercleaned air then travels up through the outlet duct 94 and through theturbine 112. As stated above, air passing through the turbine 112 causesthe rotatable shaft 110 to rotate which rotates the primary gear 108.The gear train which is connected to this primary gear 108 causes thebeater bar 100 to rotate. As the beater bar 100 rotates, the projectingbeater portions 102 bump into the leaves 91 of filter material of thefilter books 90 which are located in the regeneration chamber 98. Thisbumping causes the leaves 91 of the filter book 90 to shake and moveresulting in any dirt and dust deposited on the leaves 91 being removed.The dust and dirt falls from the leaves 91 into the second dustcollecting bin 36. This filtering and regeneration continues as thevacuum cleaner 1 is being used to clean a surface.

At any one time four filter books 90 are located in the filter cage 76and two filter books 90 are located in the regeneration chamber 98 forregeneration. It is however possible to move the filter book frame 82with its attached filter books 90 through the filter cage 76 such thattwo of the filter books 90 which have been used for filtration can bemoved to the regeneration chamber 98 for cleaning. At the same time, thefilter books 90 which have been regenerated in the regeneration chamber98 can be moved into the filter cage 76 to provide a regenerated filterfor use in filtering dirty air. The filter cage 76 remains stationaryduring movement of the filter book frame 82. This operation of movingthe filter frame 82 and thus the filter books 90 can be repeated as manytimes as desired.

Movement of the filter book frame 82 and thus the filter books 90 iscontrolled by a mechanism which is activated when the duct 10 isconnected to the separating apparatus 6. This mechanism will bedescribed in detail below.

The duct 10 has an air inlet 19 which comprises an annular sealingmember 21 for engaging the open upper end 23 of the outlet duct 94 ofthe separating apparatus 6. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 12 and 13 itcan be seen that the air inlet 19 of the duct 10 is generallydome-shaped, and enters the separating apparatus 6 through the openupper end 23 of the regenerative filter 16 to engage the sealing member21 and form an air-tight seal therewith. The sealing member 21 may beovermoulded with the duct 10 during assembly, or otherwise attached tothe duct 10. Alternatively, the sealing member 21 may be integral withor attached to the open upper end 23 of the regenerative filter 16.

The duct 10 is generally in the form of a curved arm extending betweenthe separating apparatus 6 and the rolling assembly 11. The duct 10 ismoveable relative to the separating apparatus 6 to allow the separatingapparatus 6 to be removed from the vacuum cleaner 1. The end of the duct10 which is remote from the air inlet 19 of the duct 10 is pivotablyconnected to the main body 2 of the rolling assembly 11 to enable theduct 10 to be moved between a lowered position in which the duct 10 isin fluid communication with the separating apparatus 6, and a raisedposition which allows the separating apparatus 6 to be removed from thevacuum cleaner 1.

The duct 10 is biased towards the raised position by a resilient memberlocated on the main body 2. The main body 2 comprises a biased catch 114for retaining the duct 10 in the lowered position against the force ofthe resilient member, and a catch release button 116. The duct 10comprises a handle 118 to allow the vacuum cleaner 1 to be carried bythe user when the duct 10 is retained in its lowered position.Alternatively, the duct 10 may be used to carry the vacuum cleaner 1.The catch 114 is arranged to co-operate with a finger 120 connected toduct 10 to retain it in its lowered position. Depression of the catchrelease button 116 causes the biased catch 114 to move away from thefinger 120, against the biasing force applied to the catch 114, allowingthe resilient member to move the duct 10 to its raised position.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the vacuum cleaner 1 when the duct 10 is in itslowered position and FIGS. 12 and 13 show the vacuum cleaner 1 when theduct 10 is in its raised position. FIGS. 1 to 11 show positions ofvarious components of the vacuum cleaner 1 when the duct 10 is in thelowered position. FIGS. 12 to 16 show positions of various components ofthe vacuum cleaner 1 when the duct 10 is in the raised position. In FIG.15 where the duct 10 would be in its raised position it can be seen thatthe separating apparatus 6 has a top cap 122 which is urged upwardly bya spring 124. The top cap 122 has three arms 126 which project inwardlyand upwardly towards the central axis of the separating apparatus 6.These arms 126 can be seen best in FIGS. 12 and 14. These arms 126 joinat a screw shaft cap 128. The screw shaft cap 128 houses the top portionof a screw shaft 130. The screw shaft 130 and top cap 122 are fixedrelative to each other and are locked rotationally with respect to theaxis of the separating apparatus 6.

The top cap 122 has three projections 123 which project outwardly fromthe outer surface 125 of the top cap 122. These can be seen best in FIG.11. These projections 123 locate within three corresponding indents 127which are located on an inner surface 129 of a rotation prevention lock131. This rotation prevention lock 131 is fixed to the solid outer wall72 of the inlet duct housing 68. The indents 127 are elongate extendingalong the length of the top cap 122 parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe separating apparatus 6 and allow the projections 123 space to travelup and down them. The inlet duct housing 68 forms part of theregenerative filter 16. The regenerative filter 16 is non cylindricaland so when it is positioned within the separating apparatus 6 it isunable to rotate thus ensuring that even though the top cap 122 can moveup and down, it and filter cage 76 cannot rotate.

The lower end of the screw shaft 130 is located within an internal shaft134 of a pawl drive collar 132. The internal shaft 134 of the pawl drivecollar 132 has spiral grooves which correspond to spiral grooves on thescrew shaft 130. The pawl drive collar 132 is attached by three pawldrive arms 136 which extend downwardly and away from the longitudinalaxis of the separating apparatus 6. These pawl drive arms can be seenbest in FIG. 16. The pawl drive arms 136 join a pawl drive housing 140which is ring shaped and sits inside a rotation cage 138 which isattached to the top of the filter book frame 82. The rotation cage 138has three lugs 142 which project inwardly from its inner surface towardsthe pawl drive housing 140. The pawl drive housing 140 has threeelongate resilient members 144 which are connected at one end to thepawl drive housing 140. Elongate resilient members 144 are equallyspaced around the inner surface of the pawl drive housing 140. Eachelongate resilient member 144 extends from the pawl drive housing 140,following the annular curve of the pawl drive housing 140 in a clockwisedirection. At the end of each of the elongate resilient members 144 is apawl 146. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 16 where the duct 10 israised an abutting surface 148 of each pawl 146 rests against a stopsurface 150 of a respective lug 142. In this arrangement the filter bookframe 82 is held in a fixed position. In this position the separatingapparatus 6 can be removed from the remainder of the vacuum cleaner 1and the first and second dust collecting bins 32, 36 can be emptied byreleasing catch 28 to allow the base 24 to pivot away from the outer,middle and inner walls 20, 22, 52 thus allowing any dust collected inthe dust collecting bins 32, 36 to fall out of the separating apparatus6.

After a user has emptied the dust collecting bins 32, 36 the separatingapparatus 6 must be put back on to the remainder of the vacuum cleaner 1before it can be used again. This therefore is a good time to move thefilter book frame 82 to move at least some of the used filter books 90into the regeneration chamber 98 whilst at the same time moving thefilter books 90 which were regenerated during the previous vacuumcleaning operation to be moved into the filter cage 76 for use as afilter. This movement happens automatically when the duct 10 is moved toits closed position.

When duct 10 is pushed downward the air inlet 19 pushes against thesprung top cap 122. Pushing down on the top cap 122 causes the screwthreads on the screw shaft 130 and the internal shaft 134 to engage. Asstated earlier the screw shaft 130 is fixed and locked rotationally withrespect to the axis of the separating apparatus 6 thus as the screwshaft is forced downwards the pawl drive collar 132, the pawl drive arms136 and thus the pawl drive housing 140 are all forced to rotate in anclockwise direction. The abutting surface 148 of the pawls 146 thereforepush on the stop surfaces 150 of the lugs 142 causing a rotation cage138 to rotate. The rotation cage 138 is attached to the top of thefilter book frame 82 and thus the filter book frame 82 and the filterbooks 90 which it holds also rotate. Over-rotation prevention lugs 139,which can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 10, are provided on the externalsurface of the rotation cage 138 to prevent over rotation of therotation cage 138. These over-rotation prevention lugs 139 engage withnotches 141 cut out from the lowermost edge of the top cap 122. This canbe seen best in FIG. 10.

This rotation of the filter book frame 82 results in two axiallyarranged filter books 90 being moved from the filter cage 76 into theregeneration chamber 98 and the two axially arranged filter books 90which were arranged in the regeneration chamber 98 being moved into thefilter cage 76 for use as a filter. The filter books 90 which have beenmoved into the regeneration chamber 98 will then be cleaned by theaction of the beater bar 100 during the next vacuum cleaning operation.

When a user desires to remove the separating apparatus 6 for binemptying, they will press the catch release button 116 causing thebiased catch 114 to move away from the finger 120, against the biasingforce applied to the catch 114, allowing the resilient member to movethe duct 10 to its raised position. As this happens spring 124 acts onthe screw shaft cap 128 forcing it, the screw shaft 130 and the top cap122 upwardly. Moving the screw shaft 130 upwardly causes the pawl drivecollar 132 to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction. Moving the pawldrive collar 132 in an anti-clockwise direction causes the pawl drivehousing 140 and the resilient members 144 to move in an anti-clockwisedirection. During this anti-clockwise movement the elongate resilientmembers 144 are able to flex such that the pawls 146 move over the lugs142. This means that the pawls 146 do not push against the lugs 142 andthus the rotation cage 138 does not rotate. This means that when theduct 10 is opened the filter books 90 remain in a fixed position. Whenthe duct 10 is closed the filter books 90 rotate.

It will be appreciated from the description that the separatingapparatus 6 includes two distinct stages of cyclonic separation and adistinct stage of filtration through leaves 91 of filter material. Thefirst cyclonic separating unit 12 comprises a single cylindrical cyclone30. The relatively large diameter of the outer wall 20 of which meansthat comparatively large particles of dirt and debris will be separatedfrom the air because the centrifugal forces applied to the dirt anddebris are relatively small. Some fine dust will be separated as well. Alarge proportion of the larger debris will reliably be deposited in thefirst dust collecting bin 32.

There are 14 secondary cyclones 34, each of which has a smaller diameterthan the cylindrical cyclone 30 and so is capable of separating finerdirt and dust particles than the cylindrical cyclone 30. They also havethe added advantage of being challenged with air which has already beencleaned by the cylindrical cyclone 30 and so the quantity and averagesize of entrained dust particles is smaller than would otherwise havebeen the case. The separation efficiency of the secondary cyclones 34 isconsiderably higher than that of the cylindrical cyclone 30 however somesmall particles will still pass through the secondary cyclones 34 to theregenerative filter 16.

A second embodiment of a separating apparatus 206 is shown in FIGS. 17to 26. It can be seen from FIGS. 17 and 18 that the arrangement ofcyclonic separating units are very similar to that shown in the firstembodiment. The separating apparatus 206 comprises a first cyclonicseparating unit 212, a second cyclonic separating unit 214 and aregenerative filter 216. Again the specific overall shape of theseparating apparatus 206 can be varied according to the type of vacuumcleaner 1 in which the separating apparatus 206 is to be used.

The first cyclonic separating unit 212 can be seen to be the annularchamber 218 located between the outer wall 220 which is substantiallycylindrical in shape and a middle wall 222 which is located radiallyinwardly from the outer wall 220 and spaced from it. The lower end ofthe first cyclonic separating unit 212 is closed by a base 224 which ispivotably attached to the outer wall 220 by means of a pivot and held ina closed position by a catch. In the closed position, the base 224 issealed against the lower ends of the walls 220, 222. Releasing the catchallows the base 224 to pivot away from the outer wall 220 and the middlewall 222 for emptying the first cyclonic separating unit 212.

In this embodiment the top portion of the annular chamber 218 forms acylindrical cyclone 230 of the first cyclonic separating unit 212 andthe lower portion forms a first dust collecting bin 232. The secondcyclonic separating unit 214 comprises 12 secondary cyclones 234 whichare arranged in parallel and a second dust collecting bin 236.

A dust laden air inlet 238 is provided in the outer wall 220 of thecylindrical cyclone 230. The dust laden air inlet 238 is arrangedtangentially to the outer wall 220 so as to ensure that incoming dustladen air is forced to follow a helical path around the annular chamber218. A fluid outlet from the first cyclonic separating unit 212 isprovided in the form of a shroud 240. The shroud 240 comprises acylindrical wall 242 in which a large number of perforations 241 areformed. The only fluid outlet from the first cyclonic separating unit212 is formed by the perforations 241 in the shroud 240.

A passageway 244 is formed downstream of the shroud 240. The passageway244 communicates with the second cyclonic separating unit 214. Thepassageway 244 may be in the form of an annular chamber which leads toinlets 246 of the secondary cyclones 234 or may be in the form of aplurality of distinct air passageways each of which leads to a separatesecondary cyclone 234.

An upper wall 248 extends downwardly from a vortex finder plate 250which forms a top surface of each of the secondary cyclones 234. Theupper wall 248 is tubular and its lower end 249 is sealed to an innerwall 252. The inner wall 252 is tubular and is located radially inwardlyof the middle wall 222 and is spaced from it so as to form a secondannular chamber 254 between them. This second annular chamber 254 formsthe second duct collecting bin 236.

When the base 224 is in the closed position, the inner wall 252 mayreach down to and be sealed against the base 224. Alternatively theinner wall 252 may stop short of the base 224 and may join with a filterbase plate.

The secondary cyclones 234 are arranged in a part circle substantiallyor totally above the first cyclonic separating unit 212. A portion ofthe secondary cyclones 234 may be surrounded by a portion of the top ofthe first cyclonic separating unit 212. The secondary cyclones 234 arearranged in a horseshoe shaped ring which is centred on the axis of thefirst cyclonic separating unit 212. Each secondary cyclone 234 has anaxis which is inclined downwardly and towards the axis of thelongitudinal axis of the first cyclonic separating unit 212.

Each secondary cyclone 234 is frustoconical in shape and comprises acone opening 258 which opens into the top of the second dust collectingbin 236. In use dust separated by the secondary cyclones 234 will exitthrough the cone openings 258 and will be collected in the second dustcollecting bin 236. A vortex finder is provided at the upper end of eachsecondary cyclone 234. The vortex finders may be an integral part of thevortex finder plate 250 or they may pass through the vortex finder plate250. The vortex finders fluidly connect with the regenerative filter216. The vortex finders lead into a plenum 265 which leads to theregenerative filter 216.

It can be seen that the regenerative filter 216 is at least partiallysurrounded by the first and second cyclonic separating units 212, 214.The regenerative filter 216 is therefore arranged longitudinally downthe centre of the separating apparatus 206 such that the secondarycyclones 234 and at least a portion of the second dust collecting bin236 surround the regenerative filter 216. It can be seen that thesecondary cyclones 234 surround a top portion of the regenerative filter216 and an upper portion of the second dust collecting bin 236 surroundsa lower portion of the regenerative filter 216. The first cyclonicseparating unit 212 surrounds a lower portion of the secondary cyclones234 and the second dust collecting bin 236. Thus the first cyclonicseparating unit 212 also surrounds a portion of the regenerative filter216. The first cyclonic separating unit 212, the second cyclonicseparating unit 214 and the regenerative filter 216 are thereforearranged concentrically about a common central axis of the separatingapparatus 206.

The regenerative filter 216 has an inlet duct housing 268 which definesa filter inlet duct 270. In FIGS. 17 and 18 it can be seen that thefilter inlet duct 270 is elongate and extends along the length of theregenerative filter 216. It is however horseshoe shaped when viewed in across section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of theseparating apparatus 206. The horseshoe shape can be viewed best inFIGS. 20b and 21a . The filter inlet duct 270 is in airflowcommunication with the plenum 265. The inlet duct housing 268 is formedfrom a number of components. A portion of a solid outer wall 272 formsthe outer wall of the inlet duct housing 268. The inlet duct housingalso has a base wall 273. The solid outer wall 272 is substantiallycylindrical in shape but only a portion of this forms part of the inletduct housing 268 as can be seen in FIGS. 20b and 21a . The longitudinalaxis of the solid outer wall 272 is in line with the longitudinal axisof the separating apparatus 206. Positioned inwardly of the solid outerwall 272 is the outer filter cage wall 278. In this embodiment a portionof the outer filter cage wall 278 also forms the inner wall of the inletduct housing 268. In this embodiment the outer filter cage wall 278which is generally cylindrical in shape is arranged such that it canmove relative to the solid outer wall 272. This means that the portionof the outer filter cage wall 278 which forms the inner wall of theinlet duct housing 268 changes as the outer filter cage wall 278 moves.

The outer filter cage wall 278 can be seen best in FIGS. 22, 23 and 26.The outer filter cage wall 278 can be seen to comprise two filter areas279 having a plurality of rectangular shaped apertures 281. The filterareas 279 are each attached to a respective filter book holder 283.These filter book holders 283 also form a portion of the outer filtercage wall 278. The filter book holders 283 each house a cranked rod 285.The top end 287 of each cranked rod 285 passes through an upper bearing233 at the top of each filter book holder 283 and the lower end 289 ofeach cranked rod 285 passes through a lower bearing 235 at the bottom ofeach filter book holder 283. The upper and lower bearings 233, 235oppose each other. The cranked rod 285 is free to rotate within theupper and lower bearings 233, 235. Attached to each cranked rod 285 is afilter book 290.

At any one time one of the filter areas 279 of rectangular shapedapertures 281 along with its respective filter book holder 283 will formthe inner wall of the inlet duct housing 268. The other filter area 279of rectangular shaped apertures 281 and its respective filter bookholder 283 will be housed within the confines of the solid outer wall272 but will not form part of the inlet duct housing 268. They willinstead be located within a regeneration zone 298. Inlet duct seals 237are positioned between the solid outer wall 272 and the first ends 292of each of the filter book holders 283. These inlet duct seals 237ensure that all air passing from the plenum 265 into the filter inletduct 270 pass through the rectangular shaped apertures 281 which formthe inner wall of the inlet duct housing 268.

An inner filter cage wall 280 is provided concentrically inwardly of theouter filter cage wall 278. The inner filter cage wall 280 has aplurality of rectangular shaped apertures (not shown) which are arrangedto oppose the plurality of rectangular shaped apertures 281 on the outerfilter cage wall 278. The apertures 281 on the outer filter cage wall278 may correspond in shape, size and/or position to the apertures onthe inner cage wall 280. The apertures could of course be of othershapes such as square or diamond.

A portion of the inner filter cage wall 280 and the outer filter cagewall 278 is arranged such that the inner filter cage wall 280 is spacedfrom the apertures 281 on the outer filter cage wall 278 by a distancewhich is just wide enough to house a filter book 290. As stated above,the outer filter cage wall 278 is arranged to rotate such that it canmove with respect to the remainder of the separating apparatus 206. Thisrotation of the outer filter cage wall 278 also causes the filter books290 which are attached to the outer filter cage wall 278 to rotate. Themechanism by which the outer filter cage wall 278 can be moved will bediscussed in more detail later.

Each filter book 290 is constructed from a plurality of square orrectangular leaves of filter material 291 which are bound along one edgeinto a book spine 293. The leaves may be bound to form the spine 293 bystitching, gluing or any other suitable technique. The book spines 293are attached to the cranked rods 285. The book spines 293 may beattached to the cranked rod 285 by overmoulding, stitching, gluing orany other suitable technique. In total this means that there are twofilter books 290 in the regenerative filter 216, with one filter book290 attached to each cranked rod 285. The book spines 293 allow thecranked rod 285 to freely rotate. It is of course possible to have morethan one filter book 290 attached to each cranked rod 285. It is alsopossible that the regenerative filter 216 could have more than twocranked rods 285, each of which may have one or more filter books 290.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20b and 21a it can be seen that at anyone time one filter book 290 will be housed between the outer and innercage walls 278, 280 in a filtration zone 295. When the filter book 290is housed in the filtration zone 275 they are held on both theirinternal and external faces by the inner and outer walls 278, 280 whichserves to compress the leaves of filter material 291 of the filter book290 to minimize and preferably remove any gaps between adjacent leaves291. This compressed filter book 290 is in a filtering configuration andcan be used to filter dirty air passing from the filter inlet duct 270.

The inner filter cage wall 280 also forms a portion of an outlet duct294 of the separating apparatus 206. The outlet duct 294 is tubular inshape but has a generally crescent moon shape when viewed in a crosssection taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the separatingapparatus 206. The partially cylindrical portion of the outlet duct 294is formed from the inner filter cage wall 280 and the remainder ofoutlet duct is formed from an inwardly curving solid wall 296. An outletduct base plate 297 is positioned at the lower end of the outlet duct294 to seal its lower end to ensure that all air that has passed throughthe regenerative filter 216 passes out through the open upper end of thefilter 223. The outlet duct base plate 297, seen best in FIG. 17, alsoextends outwardly to close the lower ends of the outer and inner cagewalls 278, 280 to ensure that in use all air passes through the filterbooks 290.

The remaining filter book 290 is housed in the regeneration zone 298.The regeneration zone 298 is elongate in shape. The filter book 290which is housed in the regeneration zone 298 is not compressed andtherefore there are gaps between one or more of the leaves of filtermaterial 291. The cranked rod 285 runs along the length of theregeneration zone 298. The cranked rod 285 is fixed at its lower end 289on to a cranked rod gear 204. This cranked rod gear 204 forms part of agear train comprising an intermediary gear 205 and a primary gear 208.These gears can be seen best in FIG. 21b . Each of the cranked rods 285have a cranked rod gear 204 but only the cranked rod gear 204 which islocated in the regeneration zone 298 is linked with the remainder of thegear train 206, 208. The primary gear 208 is mounted on a rotatableshaft 210 which runs through the centre of the outlet duct 294 and isconnected at its upper end to a turbine 213. In use of the vacuumcleaner 1, air which has passed through the filter book 290 and into theoutlet duct 294 travels upwardly through the turbine 213. This causesthe rotatable shaft 210 to rotate which in turn, via the gear train,causes the cranked rod 285 housed in the regeneration zone 298 torotate. As the cranked rod 285 rotates filter book 290 is shaken . Anydust which has lodged on the filter book 290 can therefore be dislodged.In this way the filter book 290 housed in the regeneration zone 298 canbe cleaned and regenerated. Any dust dislodged by the shaking of thefilter book 290 falls into a third dust collecting chamber 299. Theturbine 213 and the rotatable shaft 210 are centered on the longitudinalaxis of the separating apparatus 206.

During use of the embodiments described above dust laden air enters theseparating apparatus 206 via the dust laden air inlet 238 and, becauseof the tangential arrangement of the inlet 238, the dust laden airfollows a helical path around the outer wall 220 of the first cyclonicseparating unit 212. Larger dirt and dust particles are deposited bycyclonic action in the annular chamber 218 and collected in the firstdust collecting bin 232. The partially-cleaned dust laden air exits theannular chamber 218 via the perforations 241 in the shroud 240 andenters the passageway 244. The partially-cleaned dust laden air thenpasses into tangential inlets 246 of the secondary cyclones 234.Cyclonic separation is set up inside the secondary cyclones 234 so thatseparation of some of the dust particles which are still entrainedwithin the airflow occurs. The dust particles which are separated fromthe airflow in the secondary cyclones 234 are deposited in the secondannular chamber 254 which forms at least part of the second dustcollecting bin 236 of the second cyclonic separating unit 214. Thefurther cleaned dust laden air then exits the secondary cyclones 234into the plenum 265. The further cleaned dust laden air then passes intothe regenerative filter 216.

The further cleaned dust laden air passes out of the plenum 265 and downthe filter inlet duct 270. The air then travels through the filter book290 which is housed between the inner and outer filter cage walls 278,280 in the filtration zone 295. Dirt and dust is deposited on the leavesof filter material 291 as the dust laden air passes through the filterbook 290. The further cleaned air then travels up through the outletduct 294 and through the turbine 213. As stated above, air passingthrough the turbine 213 causes the rotatable shaft 210 to rotate, whichin turn rotates the primary gear 208. Rotation of the primary gear 208causes rotation of the intermediate gear 205 which in turn causesrotation of the cranked rod gear 204 in the regeneration zone 298. Thisin turn causes the cranked rod 285 to rotate. As the cranked rod 285rotates, the leaves 291 of filter material of the filter book 290 areshaken. This shaking causes any dirt and dust deposited on the leaves291 to be removed. The dust and dirt falls from the leaves 291 into thethird dust collecting bin 299. This filtering and regeneration continuesas the vacuum cleaner 1 is being used to clean a surface.

At any one time one filter book 290 is located in the filtration zone295 and one filter book 290 is located in the regeneration zone 298 forregeneration. It is however possible to move the outer filter cage wall278 with its attached filter books 290 such that that the filter book290 which has been used for filtration can be moved to the regenerationzone 298 for cleaning. At the same time, the filter book 290 which hasbeen regenerated in the regeneration zone 298 can be moved into thefiltration zone 295 to provide a regenerated filter for use in filteringdirty air. The outer wall 272 and the inner filter cage wall 280 remainstationary during this movement. This operation of moving the filterbooks 290 can be repeated as many times as desired.

Movement of the outer filter cage wall 278 and thus the filter books 290is controlled by a mechanism which is activated when the separatingapparatus 206 is connected to the remainder of the vacuum cleaner. Thismechanism will be described in detail below.

The separating apparatus 206 has a rack and pinion actuation means forcontrolling movement of the filter books 290. FIGS. 19 to 24 show therack and pinion actuation means in its closed position when theseparating apparatus 206 is attached to the remainder of the vacuumcleaner 1. FIGS. 25 and 26 show the rack and pinion actuation means inits open position when the separating apparatus 206 is removed from theremainder of the vacuum cleaner 1. The separating apparatus 206 can beremoved from the remainder of the vacuum cleaner 1 by pressing a releasebutton (not shown).

In FIGS. 25 and 26 where the rack and pinion actuation means is shown inits open position it can be seen that a spring 300 acts on a rack 301causing the rack 301 to be forced into a projecting position. It can beseen that a pin 302 is attached to the forward end 303 of the rack 301.This pin 302 projects from a top side surface of the separatingapparatus 206. The rack 301 is in contact with a pinion gear 304. Thepinion gear 304 is directly linked by a rod 305 to a second intermediategear 306. The second intermediate gear 306 is arranged directly belowthe pinion gear 304. The teeth 307 of the second intermediate gear 306engage with teeth 307 located on a pawl drive collar 316 arrangedcircumferentially around the cylindrical outer upper surface 308 of theouter filter cage wall 278.

To move from the open position in FIGS. 25 and 26 to the closed positionshown in FIGS. 19 to 24 the separating apparatus 206 can be attached tothe remainder of the vacuum cleaner 1. During the attachment process thepin 302 will contact a portion of the remainder of the vacuum cleaner 1and will be pushed inwardly against the action of the spring 300 causingthe rack 301 to move inwardly. The teeth 307 of the rack 301 engage withthe teeth 307 on the pinion gear 304 causing it to rotate. The rotationof the pinion gear 304 causes rotation of the second intermediate gear306 to which it is attached via rod 305. This rotation in turn causesrotation of the pawl drive collar 316.

A pair of pawls 310 sit on top of the pawl drive collar 316. As the pawldrive collar 316 rotates the pawls 310 are also forced to rotate in aclockwise direction. The cylindrical outer upper surface 308 of theouter filter cage wall 278 is positioned circumferentially inwardly ofthe pawls 310 and has two lugs 313 which project outwardly from itsouter surface towards the pawls 310. Where the rack and pinion actuationmeans is shown in its closed position it can be seen that an abuttingsurface 314 of each pawl 310 rests against a stop surface 315 of therespective lug 313. As the pawl drive collar 316 rotates and the pawls310 rotate, the pawls 310 push against the lugs 313 causing the outerfilter cage wall 278 to rotate. As the outer filter cage wall 278rotates a used filter book 290 moves into the regeneration zone 298whilst at the same time the filter book 290 which has been regeneratedduring the previous vacuum cleaning operation is moved into thefiltration zone 295 for use as a filter. This movement happensautomatically as the pin 302 is moved inwardly against the action ofspring 300 when the separating apparatus is 206 is docked onto theremainder of the vacuum cleaner 1.

When the separating apparatus 206 is removed from the remainder of thevacuum cleaner, for example so that the first, second and third dustcollecting bins 232, 236, 299 can be emptied, movement of the pinoutwardly under the force of spring 300 causes the pawls 310 to rotatein an anti-clockwise direction. The pawls 310 are sprung and aretherefore able to flex such that the pawls 310 can move over the lugs313 when the pawl drive collar 316 moves in an anti-clockwise direction.This mechanism therefore ensures that the outer filter cage wall 278 andthe attached filter books 290 can only move in one direction. This meansthat when the separating apparatus 206 is removed from the remainder ofthe vacuum cleaner 1 the filter books 290 remain in a fixed position.When the separating apparatus 206 is placed back on the remainder of thevacuum cleaner 1 the filter books 290 rotate such that they move on oneposition.

Again it will be appreciated from the description that the separatingapparatus 206 includes two distinct stages of cyclonic separation and adistinct stage of filtration through leaves 291 of filter material. Thefirst cyclonic separating unit 212 comprises a single cylindricalcyclone 230. The relatively large diameter of the outer wall 220 ofwhich means that comparatively large particles of dirt and debris willbe separated from the air because the centrifugal forces applied to thedirt and debris are relatively small. Some fine dust will be separatedas well. A large proportion of the larger debris will reliably bedeposited in the first dust collecting bin 232.

There are 14 secondary cyclones 234, each of which has a smallerdiameter than the cylindrical cyclone 230 and so is capable ofseparating finer dirt and dust particles than the cylindrical cyclone230. They also have the added advantage of being challenged with airwhich has already been cleaned by the cylindrical cyclone 230 and so thequantity and average size of entrained dust particles is smaller thanwould otherwise have been the case. The separation efficiency of thesecondary cyclones 234 is considerably higher than that of thecylindrical cyclone 230 however some small particles will still passthrough the secondary cyclones 234 to the regenerative filter 216. Inthe two embodiments described above the leaves of filter material 91,291 may be formed from any suitable material for example a plasticsmaterial such as nylon, polyester or polypropylene, alternatively theleaves could be formed from paper, cellulose, cotton or metal.

The material of the filter leaves 91, 291 preferably has a pore size inthe range of from 3, or 10, or 50, or 100, or 500, or 1000 pores perinch (PPI) with a pore diameter of from 1 micron or 2 micron, or 3micron, or 10 micron, or 50 micron, or 100 micron, or 200 micron or 400micron.

In a preferred embodiment, each filter book 90, 290 has from 2, or 5, or10, or 20, or 50, or 100 leaves of filter material 91, 291.

A third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 27 to 40. The third embodimentshows an autonomous surface treating appliance, in the form of a roboticvacuum cleaner 400 (hereinafter ‘robot’) comprising a main body havingfour principal assemblies, a chassis 401, seen best in FIG. 32, a body402 which is carried on the chassis 401, a generally circular outercover 403 which is mountable on the chassis 401 and provides the robot400 with a generally circular profile, and a cyclonic separatingapparatus 406 that is carried on a front part of the body 402 and whichprotrudes through a complementary shaped cut-out 404 of the outer cover403.

For the purposes of this embodiment, the terms ‘front’ and ‘rear’ in thecontext of the robot 400 will be used in the sense of its forward andreverse directions during operation, with the cyclonic separatingapparatus 406 being positioned at the front of the robot 400. As will beappreciated from FIGS. 27 and 28, the main body of the robot 400 has thegeneral form of a relatively short circular cylinder, largely formaneuverability reasons.

The chassis 401 supports several components of the robot 400. Theprimary function of the chassis 401 is as a drive platform and to carrycleaning apparatus for cleaning the surface over which the robot 400travels.

The chassis 401 has a pair of recesses 407, 408, seen best in FIG. 35,in which recesses a respective traction unit 409, 410 is mountable.

The pair of traction units 409, 410 are located on opposite sides of thechassis 401 and are operable independently to enable to robot 400 to bedriven in forward and reverse directions, to follow a curved pathtowards the left or right, or to turn on the spot in either direction,depending on the speed and direction of rotation of the traction units409, 410. Such an arrangement is sometimes known as a differentialdrive, however detail of the traction units 409, 410 will not bedescribed in detail here as any suitable traction unit could be used.For simplification purposes, the traction units are not shown in all ofthe Figures.

The relatively narrow front portion of the chassis 401 widens into arear portion which includes a surface treating assembly 411 or ‘cleanerhead’ having a generally cylindrical form and which extends transverselyacross substantially the entire width of the chassis 401.

With reference also to FIG. 31, which shows the underside of the robot400, the cleaner head 411 defines a rectangular suction opening 412 thatfaces the supporting surface and into which dirt and debris is drawninto when the robot 400 is operating. An elongate brush bar 413 iscontained within the cleaner head 411 and is driven by an electric motor(not shown) via a reduction gear and drive belt arrangement in aconventional manner, although other drive configurations such as asolely geared transmission are also envisaged.

The underside of the chassis 401 may also carry a plurality of passivewheels or rollers which provide further bearing points for the chassis401 when it is at rest on or moving over a floor surface.

Dirt drawn into the suction opening 412 during a cleaning operationexits the cleaner head 411 via a brush bar outlet conduit 415 whichextends upwardly from the cleaner head 411 and curves towards the frontof the chassis 401 through approximately 90° of arc until it faces inthe forwards direction. The brush bar outlet conduit 415 terminates at abrush bar conduit outlet 417. The brush bar conduit outlet 417 islocated on a side wall of the cut out 404. The cut out 404 may have agenerally circular base platform (not shown). The cut out 404 and theplatform, if present, provide a docking portion into which the cyclonicseparating apparatus 406 can be mounted, in use, and from which it canbe disengaged for emptying purposes.

It should be noted that in this embodiment the cyclonic separatingapparatus 406 consists of a cyclonic separator such as that disclosed inWO2008/009886, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference. The configuration of the cyclonic separating apparatus 406 iswell known and will not be described in any great detail here, save tosay that the cyclonic separating apparatus 406 comprises two distinctstages of cyclonic separation. The first cyclonic separating unit 418comprises a single cylindrical cyclone 419. The relatively largediameter of the outer wall 420 of which means that comparatively largeparticles of dirt and debris will be separated from the air because thecentrifugal forces applied to the dirt and debris are relatively small.Some fine dust will be separated as well. A large proportion of thelarger debris will reliably be deposited in a first dust collecting bin421.

There are 11 secondary cyclones 422 in the second cyclonic separatingunit 473, each secondary cyclone 422 has a smaller diameter than thecylindrical cyclone 419 and so is capable of separating finer dirt anddust particles than the cylindrical cyclone 419. They also have theadded advantage of being challenged with air which has already beencleaned by the cylindrical cyclone 419 and so the quantity and averagesize of entrained dust particles is smaller than would otherwise havebeen the case. The separation efficiency of the secondary cyclones 422is considerably higher than that of the cylindrical cyclone 419 howeversome small particles will still pass through the secondary cyclones 419.A downstream regenerative filter 416 would therefore be useful. In thisembodiment the regenerative filter is housed within the main body 402 ofthe robot 400. It is not housed within the cyclonic separating apparatus406. The cyclonic separating apparatus 406 is removable from theremainder of the robot 400. The regenerative filter 416 is fixed withinthe main body. The regenerative filter 416 is not removable with orwithout the cyclonic separating apparatus 406. In this embodiment theentire robot can be considered to be a “separating apparatus”.

The cyclonic separating apparatus 406 may be removably attached to thebody 402 by a suitable mechanism such as a quick-release fastening meansto allow the cyclonic separating apparatus 406 to be emptied when itbecomes full. The nature of the cyclonic separating apparatus 406 is notcentral to the invention and the cyclonic separating apparatus mayinstead separate dirt from the airflow by other means that are known inthe art for example a filter-membrane, a porous box filter or some otherform of separating apparatus. It is also conceivable that the robot 400does not have such a separating apparatus at all and instead reliesentirely on its regenerative filter 416 for removing dirt and dust fromthe dirty airflow.

When the cyclonic separating apparatus 406 is engaged in the cut out404, a dirty air inlet 423 of the cyclonic separating apparatus 406 isin contact with the brush bar conduit outlet 417, such that the brushbar outlet conduit 415 transfers the dirty air from the cleaner head 411to the cyclonic separating apparatus 406.

Dirty air is drawn through the cyclonic separating apparatus 406 by anairflow generator which, in this embodiment, is an electrically poweredmotor and fan unit (424), that is located in a motor housing 425. Thecyclonic separating apparatus 406 also includes a cleaned air outlet 426which registers with the mouth 428 of a regenerative filter inlet ductwhen the cyclonic separating apparatus 406 is engaged in the cut out404. In use, the suction motor and fan unit 424 is operable to createlow pressure in the region of the motor inlet mouth, thereby drawingdirty air along an airflow path from the suction opening 412 of thecleaner head 411, through the brush bar outlet conduit 415, the cyclonicseparating apparatus 406 and the cleaned air outlet 426 into theregenerative filter 416.

In addition to the regenerative filter inlet duct 427, the regenerativefilter also comprises a first filtration zone 429, a second filtrationzone 430 and a regeneration zone 431. A length of filter material 432 isarranged such that it is rolled up at both ends to form a firstfiltration scroll 433 in the first filtration zone 429 and a secondfiltration scroll 434 in the second filtration zone 430. The first andsecond filtration scrolls 433, 434 are joined by a single layer of thefilter material 432 which is arranged to pass through the regenerationzone 431. As can be seen in FIGS. 33 to 37 the first and second scrolls433, 434 are spaced apart and arranged vertically such that theirlongitudinal axis are parallel to each other and their lower ends are onthe same plane. The regeneration zone 431 is arranged between the firstfiltration zone 429 and the second filtration zone 430.

The construction of the first and second scrolls 433, 434 results in aplurality of layers of filter material 432 held together, through whichthe air flow from the cyclonic separating apparatus 406 must pass. Thefirst filtration scroll 433 is mounted on a first support frame 435. Thefirst support frame 435 can be seen best in FIG. 40. The support frame435 is spool shaped in that it has a cylindrical central tube 437 and apair of opposed flanges 438 which extend outwardly from the cylindricalcentral tube 437 to form a space 439 therebetween onto which the filtermaterial 432 can be wound. The opposed flanges 438 are solid but thecylindrical central tube 437 has a plurality of airflow apertures 440which in the example shown are square in shape. The airflow apertures440 could of course be of any suitable shape as long as the cylindricalcentral tube 437 is rigid enough to support the first filtration scroll433 but has enough airflow apertures 440 to ensure that it does notprovide too great a barrier to airflow and preferably will not clog withdirt and dust.

To help to ensure the rigidity of the cylindrical central tube 437 threesupport walls 441 are provided within the cylindrical central tube 437.The support walls 441 run the length of the cylindrical central tube 437and are spaced equidistantly around its inner wall. The support walls441 extend inwardly from the inner wall of the cylindrical central tube437 to meet at the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical central tube437. These support walls 441 effectively section the inside of thecylindrical central tube 437 into three portions. To ensure that air canflow freely between these three portions, the support walls 441 alsohave a plurality of inner apertures 442 which in the example shown aresquare in shape. The inner apertures 442 could of course be of anysuitable shape as long as the support walls 441 remain rigid enough tosupport the cylindrical central tube 437 but do not provide too great abarrier to airflow and preferably will not clog with dirt and dust.

The first extreme outer edge 468 of the filter material 432 is attachedto the cylindrical central tube 437 and a length of filter material 432is wound onto the cylindrical central tube 437 to provide a plurality oflayers of filter material 432 which are held tightly together so thateach subsequent layer of filter material is in contact with the previouslayer of filter material. In this way gaps between the layers of filtermaterial 432 on the first filtration scroll 433 are minimized oreliminated. The first filtration scroll 433 which is mounted on thefirst support frame 435 is housed within a first scroll housing 443. Thefirst scroll housing 443 has a first scroll housing inlet 444 which isconnected to the outlet of the regenerative filter inlet duct 427. Thefirst scroll housing 443 also has a first scroll housing outlet 446. Thefirst scroll housing outlet 446 is connected to a first scroll outlet447. The first scroll outlet 447 is the lowermost end of the cylindricalcentral tube 437. An airtight seal (not shown) is provided between aninner lower surface of the first scroll housing 443 and the lowersurface of the lower opposed flange 438. This seal ensures that any airthat enters the first scroll housing 443 passes through the firstfiltration scroll 433 and out of the first scroll housing outlet 446.

The air that passes out of the first scroll housing 443 passes into anintermediate duct 448 which takes the air towards a second scrollhousing 449. The second scroll housing 449 houses the second filtrationscroll 434 and a second support frame 436 on which the second filtrationscroll 434 is mounted. The second support frame 436 is constructed inthe same manner as the first support frame 435. The second scrollhousing 449 has a second scroll housing inlet 451 which is connected tothe outlet of the intermediate duct 448. The intermediate duct 448 joinsthe bottom of the first scroll housing 443 to the bottom of the secondscroll housing 449.

In the second scroll housing 449 incoming air is forced to pass throughthe second filtration scroll 434. The air then travels through theapertures 440 in the cylindrical central tube 437 and then passes out ofthe second scroll outlet 452. The air then passes through the secondscroll housing outlet 453 into an exhaust duct 454 which takes thecleaned air towards the motor and fan unit 424. Once the air has passedthrough the motor and fan unit 424 it passes through a post motor filter455 and is then exhausted from the robot 400.

Both the first filtration scroll 433 and the second filtration scroll434 are mounted on drive shafts 456, 457. These drive shafts 456, 457are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the equivalent first andsecond filtration scrolls 433, 434. It can be seen that the supportwalls 441 of the first support frame 435 are mounted on the first driveshaft 456. The support walls 441 of the second support frame 436 aremounted on the second drive shaft 457. The first drive shaft 456projects through the lower surface of the first scroll housing 443 andthe second drive shaft 457 projects through the lower surface of thesecond scroll housing 449. Seals (not shown) are provided to helpprevent air leaks between the drive shafts 456, 457 and the relativehousings 443, 449. The lower ends of the drive shafts 456, 457 areconnected to respective first and second drive motors 458, 459 via firstand second drive belts 460, 461. The first and second drive motors 458,459 are arranged such that they each can turn their respective driveshafts 456, 457 in either direction according to the need. For example,if the robot 400 starts its operation with all of the filter material432 wound into the first filtration scroll 433 with only enough filtermaterial 432 left unwound to pass through the regeneration zone 431 andattach to the cylindrical central tube 437 on the second support frame436, then from this starting position the second drive motor 459 canactivate to turn the second drive shaft 457 in a clockwise direction(when looking at the robot 400 with the separating apparatus 406 closestto you). When the second drive motor 459 turns the second drive shaft457 in a clockwise direction the filter material 432 starts to unwindfrom the first support frame 435 and onto the second support frame 436,passing through the regeneration zone 431 on its way.

This also works in reverse where the robot 400 starts its operation withall of the filter material 432 wound into the second filtration scroll434 with only enough filter material 432 left unwound to pass throughthe regeneration zone 431 and attach to the cylindrical central tube 437on the first support frame 435. From this starting position the firstdrive motor 458 can activate to turn the first drive shaft 456 in ananticlockwise direction (when looking at the robot with the separatingapparatus 406 closest to you). When the first drive motor 458 turns thefirst drive shaft 456 in an anticlockwise direction the filter material432 starts to unwind from the second support frame 436 and onto thefirst support frame 435, passing through the regeneration zone 431 onits way. This movement of the filter material 432 back and forwardbetween first and second filtration zones 429, 430 can occurcontinuously during operation of the robot or it can be programmed tooccur at a certain time, for example when the robot 400 docks torecharge its batteries 462.

Since during use of the robot 400, all of the airflow has to passthrough both the first filtration scroll 433 and the second filtrationscroll 434 it does not matter which filtration scroll 433, 434 has themost layers of filter material 432 as the total number of layers offilter material 432 through which the air will pass will never fallbelow a minimum no of layers.

The regeneration zone 431 comprises a regeneration housing 463. Insidethe regeneration housing 463 are a pair of opposed brushes 464 which arethe same height as the filter material 432 and are arranged at adistance apart such that as the filter material 432 passes between them,the brushes 464 contact both sides of the filter material 432. In thisway, as the filter material 432 is moved from one filter scroll 433 tothe other scroll 434 it is brushed and therefore cleaned and regeneratedby the brushes 464. Dirt and dust which is removed from the filtermaterial 432 by the brushes 464 drops into a dust collection drawer 465located below the regeneration zone 431. The dust collection drawer 465has a handle 466 which is located inside the cut out 404. This meansthat a user can empty the dust collection drawer 465 when the cyclonicseparating apparatus 406 has been removed from the cut out 404. Becausethe filter material 432 is passing backwards and forwards between thefirst and second support frames 435, 436 it gets regenerated each timeit passes through the regeneration zone 431. This means that the firstand second filtration scroll 433, 434 are constantly being regeneratedand therefore do not get so blocked with dirt and dust that they cannotfilter further dust and/or block or overly restrict airflow through thefilter material 432.

From FIGS. 39 and 40 it can be seen that the first extreme outer edge468 and the second extreme outer edge (not shown) of the filter material432 has a tail area 469 which has an open structure as opposed to afiltering structure. This is because all or the majority of these tailareas 469 never pass through the regeneration zone 431 and thereforemust allow airflow to pass freely through them without blocking withdirt and dust. In this example the tail area 469 has a plurality offilter apertures 467. These are square shaped in the example shown butthey could be any other suitable shape as long as the tail area 469 atthe first and second extreme outer edges 468 of the filter material 432remain strong enough to attach the remainder of the filter material tothe first and second support frames 435, 436 and are open enough toreduce blockage of airflow. In the example shown it can be seen that thefilter apertures 467 line up with the airflow apertures 440 on thecylindrical central tube 437.

The filter material 432 may be any suitable material for example aplastics material such as polyester or polypropylene, alternatively thefilter material 432 could be formed from paper, cellulose or cotton. Thetail area 469 may be formed from the same material as the remainder ofthe filter material 432 or it may be made from a different material, forexample a material which is stiffer than the remainder of the filtermaterial.

The filter material 432 preferably has a pore size in the range of from3, or 10, or 50, or 100, or 500, or 1000 pores per inch (PPI) with apore diameter of from 1 micron or 2 micron, or 3 micron, or 10 micron,or 50 micron, or 100 micron, or 200 micron or 400 micron. The pore sizeor type of filter material 432 may vary along the length and or width ofthe filter material 432. For example the pore size may decrease orincrease along the length of the filter material 432 or in a downstreamdirection.

In a preferred embodiment the pore size of the filter apertures 467 inthe tail area 469 are larger than the pore sizes in the filter material432. The pore size of the filter apertures 467 are preferably 400microns or greater. The filter apertures 467 preferably have a pore sizeof from 2.5 mm to 15 mm. In a preferred embodiment the filter apertures467 in each layer wound onto the support frames 435, 436 are arranged tooverlap such that there is a clear passageway for air to flow throughthe filter apertures 467.

In use, as the filter material 432 is wound from the first filtrationscroll 433 onto the second filtration scroll 434 the filter material 432passes through a first set of guide rollers 470 before passing throughthe regeneration zone 431 and then a second set of guide rollers 471,before finally being wound onto the second filtration scroll 434. Eachset of guide rollers 470, 471 has a roller 472 positioned each side of aline which runs through the centre of the opposed brushes 464. Thisensures that the filter material 432 passes in a straight line betweenthe brushes 464. The sets of guide rollers 470, 471 also help to ensurethat each filtration scroll 433, 434 is wound evenly onto the respectivesupport frames, 435, 436. The sets of guide rollers 470, 471 function inthe same way when the filter material 432 is being wound from the secondfiltration scroll 434 onto the first filtration scroll 433.

The system described in relation to FIGS. 27 to 40 is a dynamic systemin that during use the first and second scrolls 433, 434 are constantlychanging with regard to how many filter layers there are in eachfiltration zone 429, 430. As the layers of filter material 432 on onefiltration scroll are getting loaded with dust they are continuouslybeing unwound and passed through the regeneration zone 431 where theyare cleaned and then used again on the other filtration scroll. This isa continuous dynamic process.

An alternative arrangement is also envisaged. This alternativearrangement is shown schematically in FIG. 41. It shows a static ratherthan a dynamic system. In the static system the filter material 432 isall wound onto a first filtration scroll 474. This filtration scroll isstatic and is used for cleaning during an operation of the robot. At aconvenient point, for example when the robot is charging, the filtermaterial 432 can be unwound from the first filter scroll 474, passedthrough and cleaned in a regeneration zone 475, passing onto a holdingscroll 476 and then wound back onto the same first filtration scroll 474for use the next time the robot is in use.

In operation, the robot 400 is capable of propelling itself about itsenvironment autonomously, powered by rechargeable batteries 462. Toachieve this, the robot 400 carries an appropriate control means whichis interfaced to the batteries 462, the traction units 409, 410 and anappropriate sensor suite 477 comprising for example infrared andultrasonic transmitters and receivers. The sensor suite can provide thecontrol means with information representative of the distance of therobot from various features in an environment and the size and shape ofthe features. Additionally the control means is interfaced to the motorand fan unit 424 and the brush bar motor in order to drive and controlthese components appropriately. The control means is therefore operableto control the traction units 409, 410 in order to navigate the robot400 around the room which is to be cleaned. It should be noted that theparticular method of operating and navigating the robotic vacuum cleaneris not material to the invention and that several such control methodsare known in the art. For example, one particular operating method isdescribed in more detail in WO00/38025 in which navigation system alight detection apparatus is used. This permits the robot to locateitself in a room by identifying when the light levels detected by thelight detector apparatus is the same or substantially the same as thelight levels previously detected by the light detector apparatus.

1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a regenerative filter havingat least one filter, the at least one filter comprising a plurality oflayers of filter material, the at least one filter having a firstfiltering configuration where the plurality of layers are held togethersuch that air to be cleaned can pass through the plurality of layers offilter material during use of the surface cleaning apparatus, and asecond regeneration configuration wherein at least a portion of onelayer of the plurality of layers of filter material is spaced from theremainder of the plurality of layers of filter material forregeneration, and a filter regenerator for regenerating the filtermaterial.
 2. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein theregenerative filter comprises a plurality of filters.
 3. The surfacecleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein at least one filter is in thefiltering configuration and at least one filter is in the regenerationconfiguration.
 4. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 3, wherein aplurality of filters are in the filtering configuration.
 5. The surfacecleaning appliance of claim 3, wherein a plurality of filters are in theregeneration configuration.
 6. The surface cleaning appliance of claim1, wherein the regenerative filter comprises a filtration zone and aregeneration zone which are spaced apart.
 7. The surface cleaningappliance of claim 6, wherein the at least one filter is moveablebetween the filtration zone, where the at least one filter is in thefiltering configuration, to the regeneration zone where the at least onefilter is in the regeneration configuration.
 8. The surface cleaningappliance of claim 1, wherein in the filtering configuration and theregeneration configuration the plurality of layers of filter materialare held together along one edge to form a book type filter.
 9. Thesurface cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein in use the filterregenerator moves at least a portion of one of the layers of a filter inthe regeneration configuration, such that dirt deposited on the filtermaterial is knocked or shaken from the filter material.
 10. The surfacecleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein in use the filter regeneratorrepeatedly makes contact with at least a portion of one or more leavesof filter material of a filter in the regeneration configuration, suchthat dirt deposited on the filter material is knocked or shaken from thefilter material.
 11. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 1, whereinat least one filter is connected to the filter regenerator when the atleast one filter is in the regeneration configuration, and in use, thefilter regenerator moves the at least one filter that is in theregeneration configuration such that dirt deposited on the filtermaterial is shaken from the filter material.
 12. The surface cleaningappliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one filter comprises a scrolltype filter when the at least one filter is in the filteringconfiguration, and the at least one filter comprises a single layer offilter material when the at least one filter is in the regenerationconfiguration.
 13. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 12, whereinthe at least one filter in the regeneration configuration is arranged topass through a regeneration zone for regeneration.
 14. The surfacecleaning appliance of claim 13, comprising a pair of scroll type filtersthrough which air to be filtered can pass, the regenerative filter beingarranged such that the filter material is movable in both directionsbetween the first and second scrolls, passing a single layer of filtermaterial through the filter regenerator as the filter material movesbetween them.
 15. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 12, whereinthe filter regenerator comprises a pair of opposed brushes between whichthe at least one filter in the regeneration configuration will passduring use of the separating apparatus.
 16. The surface cleaningappliance of claim 1, further comprising a surface contacting head. 17.The surface cleaning appliance of claim 1, further comprising aseparating apparatus.
 18. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 17,wherein the separating apparatus comprises a further filter.
 19. Thesurface cleaning appliance of claim 17, wherein the separating apparatusis removable from the remainder of the surface cleaning appliance. 20.The surface cleaning appliance of claim 17, wherein the regenerativefilter is housed in the separating apparatus.
 21. The surface cleaningappliance of claim 1, wherein the filter material has electrostaticproperties.
 22. (canceled)